SCHOOLS

Reading rules in West Hempstead schools

Posted Wednesday, April 6, 2011 2:11 pm

Hundreds of children and their parents joined administrators and faculty at the West Hempstead High School auditorium last week to celebrate the third annual Family Literacy Night multicultural event where volunteers read to children.

Susan Grieco/Herald

Caption/Description: Sixth grader Kareem Dingwell, on the steel drums, and his brother, Chad Maccou, on the piano, played pop songs for the audience.

Susan Grieco/Herald

Hempstead Town Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, joined by Yeshiva Har Torah student Elisheva Ezor, also attend the event to advocate literacy.

Susan Grieco/Herald

Schools Superintendent John Hogan, center right, accepted a citation from Melvin Harris, who presented it on behalf of County Executive Edward Mangano. School Board President Pamela Lotito, right, and English Director Kathleen O'Farell, left, joined Hogan in accepting the honor.

Susan Grieco/Herald

By Svenja van den Woldenberg

West Hempstead High School hosted its third annual Family Literacy Night last week, celebrating literacy and multiculturalism.

The auditorium was packed with 175 student volunteers, 150 children, two cadet Girl Scout troops, a Boy Scout troop, an Eagle Scout troop, parents, school administrators and politicians the evening of Thursday, March 31. They had all come out in celebration of multicultural community and this year’s theme, Readers are Leaders, according to Literacy Night coordinate and high school English Director Kathleen O’Farrell.

Several of the outstanding student performances of the night included Nancy Quintana, who sang a Spanish opera song, and sixth grader Kareem Dingwell and his brother, senior Chad Maccou, who played steel drums and piano respectively. The duo performed “Hey Soul Sister” and “Africa.”

“The energy was unbelievable,” O’Farrell said. “They had everyone singing along … parents were holding up their cell phone lights.”

Young Israel of West Hempstead provided kosher foods for the event and a table of international desserts was available as well. The younger students participated in read-alongs, puzzles and an educational passover craft. The students also visited the Hispanic and Haitian cultural tables.

Representatives from the West Hempstead Library were present to talk to students about their Screen-Free Week, which starts on April 18. A raffle was also held thanks to the generous donations of Barnes and Nobles gift cards by the PTSA and several donations from teachers. There were also three special guests present during the night: Elmo, Blue from Blue’s Clues and Winnie the Pooh.

Hempstead Town Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby came out for the event, as did Melvin Harris, a representative of County Executive Ed Mangano’s. Harris presented the high school with a citation of honor for community service and community outreach.

“It’s wonderful to see the enthusiasm of students and parents,” O’Farrell said. “We’re looking forward to next year.”