Creating a circus-style level of excitement around literacy is the goal of the Macomb Middle School District (MISD) on Nov. 5 when it hosts the Reading Carnival.
“We started it and it continues to be a literacy awareness campaign,” said MISD Assistant Superintendent for Instruction/Chief Academic Officer Alesia Flye. “We hope to bring greater recognition of the importance of early literacy skills and encourage families to engage children as early as possible.”
Reading Carnivals are aimed primarily at elementary school level students and their families. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Macomb Intermediate School District, located at 44001 Garfield Road in Clinton Township.
“This is actually the fourth annual celebration of the Macomb Reads festival. The first year it was in person, we had 1,700 families come to participate. That was in the fall of 2019,” Flye said. “For the past two years we’ve had a combined format, which included an opportunity for students and families.”
Flye said students received free books, art kits and STEM activities through the drive-thru, and were able to attend author and illustrator sessions online.
“So we’re really excited this year to go back to a full in-person format,” Flye said.
Children will be able to receive free books with admission to this year’s event, and additional books will be available for purchase.
“We know that some students have a number of books and literacy resources in their homes, and we know that there are students in the district who don’t have as many books in their homes. This event is an opportunity for kids in our county to get free books and start building a library at home,” said Flye.
The Reading Carnival will begin at 10 a.m. with opening ceremonies hosted by Macomb County Executive Ambassadors Mark Hackel and 104.3 WOMC radio personality JoAnne Purtan.
Authors who will be in attendance at the event include Johnathan Rand and Amy Young. Rand is the author of the Michigan Chillers and American Chillers middle grade book series. Young is the author and illustrator of the A Unicorn Named Sparkle picture book series.
“They will be giving presentations throughout the day as well as signing books. For Amy Young, part of her presentation will involve walking the students through some illustrations,” Flye said.
The event will also include STEM activities, art activities, games, face painting and music provided by a DJ. The costumed characters and school mascots will also be present. Free snacks will include cider and donuts. Flye said students will have the opportunity to make fresh apple cider as well. Mascots will include the Detroit Lions mascot, mascots from the United Shore Professional Baseball League at Jimmy John’s Field in Utica, and a new character from Detroit Public Television, she added.
Participation in the Reading Carnival is free, but registration is required. Registration for the event is available at misd.net/MacombReads and will close a few days before the event.
“It’s important because literacy really affects all aspects of a child’s life,” Flye said.
