Through a mix of storytelling, games, and food, students at an elementary school in the Northern Lehigh School District have likely gained an even greater appreciation for reading.

Literacy Night was held Thursday at Peters Elementary School and was open to the school’s kindergarten through second-grade students and families to engage in early literacy games and activities.

The event had eight literacy stations run by the school’s teachers, and the students and families were able to take home a version of the game or activity that they learned, said Peters Elementary School Principal James Schnyderite.

“For Read Across America week, we wanted to hold a special event for our K-2 students to get them excited about reading and to help give families resources that they can use to teach and reinforce their early literacy skills at home,” Schnyderite said. “We wanted the event to be fun and interactive.”

The event was well attended, as evidenced by the literacy stations that were filled with students eager to learn.

Katie Mohr said she was glad she brought her son, Ethan Mohr, 6, a first grade student at Peters Elementary School, to the event.

“We were so excited that they were hosting this event,” said Katie Mohr, who added she was impressed with how the event incorporated reading with games and food.

Thomas Harlan said he too, was appreciative of the school hosting such a well-rounded event for the students to be able to partake in.

Harlan’s son, Peters Elementary School second-grader Thomas Harlan Jr., was clearly as impressed as he went through the literacy stations at his disposal.

“I thought it was going to be fun, and it is,” said Thomas Harlan Jr., 7.

Schnyderite said “it’s notable” that the teachers volunteered their time to hold the event, which was spearheaded by reading specialists Amanda Bashore, Josie Flugger, and Kara Richardson.

“They have put in many hours working with me to plan the event and hundreds of things behind the scenes to make this event happen,” he said. “We also had a lot of amazing partners for this event.”

Schnyderite noted that the PTO helped with food and donated supplies toward one of their food stations, and added they received monetary and/or food donations from local business such as Thomson’s Meat Market, Weis, Giant, Ocean Spray, and Walmart.

Also as part of the event, the Slatington Public Library ran a storytelling area, and there was also an opportunity for families to sign up for a free library card during the event.

Head Start also attended the event, and families in the school’s Head Start were invited to participate. There were Pre-K families who attended as well, along with information on their program for anyone interested in it.

Additionally, there were many volunteers from Northern Lehigh High School who helped setup and run the event.