Community Corner

Parents and Students 'Snuggle Up and Read'

Students bring their parents to school to read books Thursday night.

Eisenhower Elementary held its always popular Snuggle Up and Read event on Thursday night.

During its ninth year the mothers, not just the fathers, were encouraged to attend the night of reading as well.

"We have terrific parent involvement at Eisenhower, but it's always important to have parents get out with the kids," principal Mark Miller said. "We're all about promoting family. In our busy lives, sometimes we lose sight of that so we do a lot of things focused on family.

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"And tonight, parents get to model how important reading really is."

Mother Heather Harris helped keep Thursday night's event running smoothly, as her husband went around to the different stations to read with their fourth grader.

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"With Dad being busy with work every day, this gives them some alone time," Harris said.

"It's nice to have a little father-son bonding," said Nick Tripodes, father of a second grader. 

And his son agreed.

"I like it because you get to read," Constantine Tripodes said.

Students got to choose from ten topics, including wide world of sports, food glorious food and animal tales.

The PTA asked members of the community to come in and read to the families, serving a local celebrities for the children.

Sports reporter John Steigerwald was appropriately assigned to read the sport books.

Market District chef Randy Tozzie volunteered his time to read as well.

"It sounded like a great time to talk to kids about food," Tozzie said.

However, the most popular celebrity readers each year are the Pookmans. Retired Baker Elementary teacher Rona Pookman, and her husband Norman, always bring along the stars of the show, therapy dogs Piper and Molly.

"I worked in the school district for years and wanted to give back to the schools," Mrs. Pookman said. "This is such a good program, especially for kids who need help reading or lack self-esteem."

Also popular picks for the children, reading with the Upper St. Clair volunteer firefighters or an Upper St. Clair police officer.

"We do it every year," Sgt. Ron Fleischer said. "It gives us a chance to meet and greet the community in a better way than we normally do."

Iceburgh and Sparky the Fire Dog helped to promote reading as well. Parents whipped out their smart phones in the hallways to snap pictures of their kids with the mascots.

The program went on without a hitch, thanks to the extensive planning PTA members Chrissy Sileo, Laura Mutough and Tisa Jonaoski performed. 

"Any opportunity to spend time with the kids at school is great," Sileo said. "It's a fun, family event that's something different to do."


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