The Aiken Writing Project, with funding from the Kellogg Foundation and the National Writing Project, recently sponsored a series of Family Literacy Nights at Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary School.
On March 30, two students were awarded for perfect attendance at all four literacy evenings: Jonathan Gonzales, a 5K student in Harvetta Havird's class, and Melvin Martinez, a first-grader in Denise McCurry's class. Principal Callie Herlong presented each student with an Apple iPad Mini.
The purpose of the Family Literacy Night project was to promote a bridge between the homes of English-as-a-second-language students and the school.
Twenty families and 50 students in 4K, 5K, first, second and third grades at Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary participated throughout the year in the Family Literacy Project.
Led by Jessica Martin and Melvia Kerby, with assistance from Betsie Davenport, an English-as-a-second-language teacher for the Aiken County School District, teachers at RS-M Elementary participated throughout the year in the project.
Additionally, two Aiken Writing Project directors from USC Aiken, Lynne Rhodes and Vicki Collins, provided resources such as books and writing materials, educational game and activities.
The families developed a story-oriented quilt in September, shared recipes in November, enjoyed various games in February and celebrated with a Mexican feast March 30.
Several students in Deborah McMurtrie's Adolescent Development class in the USCA School of Education assisted with childcare.
Students in Collins' Adolescent Literature class in the USCA Department of English also provided a traveling literacy trunk, which was given to the teachers at RS-M Elementary.
The Aiken Writing Project was one of six awarded a grant for Family Literacy projects in the United States. Other winners include writing projects in California, Arizona, Wisconsin, Illinois and Oklahoma.
The Aiken Writing Project will hold its annual Summer Institute in June at USCA. Those interested in participating can email Rhodes at USCA at lynner@usca.edu or call 803-641-3571.