BRILLIANT — Buckeye North Elementary School will host its literacy night from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 26. This year’s theme is entitled “Family Game Time,” according to organizers Heather Andes and Lucy Falls.

Andes is a first-grade teacher at the school and Falls teaches those in fourth and fifth grades. The women explained students and their families will have a chance to enjoy “a wide variety of games that incorporate components of reading and math.”

“We gave each room a different board game theme,” Andes said, noting the Yahtzee classroom will have estimation jars where attendees can guess how many items are in a jar for the opportunity to win a prize.

“We will be playing a vowel bingo to win board games and prizes,” Andes continued, noting the Scrabble room will include a Scrabble tile craft for guests. The Candyland room will entail an interactive game board where students become the pieces; and the Uno classroom will feature math games. “Play Doh’ will be a sensory room for those who need it,” Andes noted, adding the Life room will be about making good choices and discussing feelings. The gymnasium and entrance area will be in regards to the game of Monopoly.

“We have different activities for students to get involved with to celebrate literacy,” Falls added. “We have a ton of fun while learning along the way.”

Approximately 10 organizations will be stationed inside the gym, including a Scholastic Book Fair that will be open for browsers. A new attraction for parents attending the literacy night will be a basket drawing. Children who RSVP for the event will be entered into the drawing to win a prize. As a precursor to the evening, individuals will dress in a board game theme and read to students. The school has even created a Monopoly jail to raise money for literacy.

The class that brings in the most money will get to jail their teacher for 30 minutes, while enjoying additional time in gym class. The building itself will be decorated in the game theme, offering photo opportunities for students.

Monopoly money will be given to participants at every station, where students can purchase drawing tickets to win a basket of books. Organizers stated literacy nights have been a longtime attraction for the school. They noted they are optimistic for this year’s turnout as well.

“We have seen great turnouts for years past and are expecting a lot of students to attend,” Falls commented. “This year, we really want everyone to be involved, not just the students. We are emphasizing the kids’ education is a team effort, so we want parents to be involved in their kids’ education and show them it can be fun to be involved in the education process. We really put a lot of work into this night and it’s all for the kids we love.”

“Literacy night is to get students excited about reading and give parents ideas on ways to incorporate school activities into their everyday lives,” Andes exclaimed. The event is free to attend with the exception of purchases at the book fair.

“The feedback has been really good and the students look forward to this night,” Andes concluded. “All the teachers have been working hard to decorate their doors and help out. It really is a team effort.”