Northside bonds parents and students through reading

DECATUR -- Over the course of history, children have often drifted off to sleep to the sound of a father or mother reading a good bedtime story. But in the age of laptops, iPhones and video games, the bedtime story is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. One area school system is hoping to spark an interest in bringing back family story time.

The Decatur School District's SPARK after-school program hosted the Scholastic Eat and Read event Oct. 10 in the cafeteria of Decatur Northside Elementary School. It was sponsored by the Ozark Literacy Council of Fayetteville. Ralph Nesson from the Literacy Council was the guest speaker. He spoke of the importance of families sitting down and taking a little time to read together.

The goal of the Eat and Read program was to help students build their home libraries by giving them a new book.

Students and parents were invited to share the after-school program evening meal. Many parents sat down and enjoyed a nice dinner while spending quality time with their kids in an activity designed to help them improve their reading skills. After dinner, the students were allowed to pick one book. Once the book was chosen, the kids sat down with their fathers or mothers, or by themselves, and started reading.

Decatur Public Schools were awarded the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant this year.

The after-school club time, called "SPARK" (Strengthening Personal Development And Reinforcing Knowledge), was created to provide academic and homework tutoring services and enrichment time to promote math and literacy skills. The program also offers several extra-curricular activities to enhance personal and social development. Some of the activities that are available (on a rotational and seasonal basis) include archery, fishing, arts and crafts, dance, martial arts, winter guard, college and career readiness, computer skills and coding, and cake decorating. Students will be placed in these activities based on age, level of interest and need and availability. Students in grades Kindergarten through the 12th grade take part in the program. The program is fully staffed by Decatur School District employees, the Boys and Girls Club, and other community partners, according to a Decatur Northside Elementary School press release.

Dinner is offered at 4:45 p.m. each day. Students 18 and under are free. Adults 19 and older will be charged $3.50. All are welcome to join. For more information, call 479-752-3981.