Schools Make Education Fun

Taking a break from FCAT preparation, students at A.A. Dixon Charter School were treated to a night of skating at Landmark Skate and Fun Center last night.

“Our students have been working very hard,” said Principal Kathy Bearden-Colbert. “We wanted to reward them and let them know we believe in them.”

Grades kindergarten to sixth grade, about 130 students, took over the rented rink. There were plenty of smiles and giggles, and even when a child slipped they got back up – a testament to the school itself.

FCAT isn’t until the third week in April, so the school still has plenty of preparation ahead. After the standardized test, students will celebrate with a pool party on Pensacola Beach sponsored by Innisfree Hotels.

Over at Global Learning Academy, students and parents gathered for ECARE Family Night. The event takes place once a month and offers food, books and reading tips for parents.

“The goal is to help parents see how easy and fun it is to incorporate pre-reading skills at home,” said Mary Anderson, teacher on special assignment for Escambia County Schools. “Tonight’s theme is winter, which is an abstract idea for our community.”

Children received free books courtesy of Wee Read Early Literacy Program, a resource under the ECARE umbrella. Some books were purchased through a grant from the First Book Pensacola advisory board and some were donated by University of WestFlorida.

After they ate and received their free books, children and parents sat quietly while teachers from Global Learning Academy read a few books, sang a few songs and even did a little bit of acting. It’s all part of making books become sensory overload, which seemed to work since children were responsive.

Although not all of the 279 RSVPs showed up, if one parent chooses to read a bedtime story to their child tonight, then it’s worth it. Next ECARE Family Night is February 28.