Press Release

WARSAW — Washington STEM Academy will host its first literacy night from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27.

This is a part of their literacy week, which will be in conjunction with the Literati book fair and other literacy programming activities at school that week. The first 100 students to come to literacy night will receive a free bag to carry their freebies in, courtesy of Warsaw Orthodontics.

The literacy night will offer eye screenings, free books and reading activities, crafts, and local authors will be in attendance. Pages Aplenty bookstore, the WILL Bus, Kate’s Kart, the Bike Library, and other literacy services in the county will be in attendance. Teachers and staff will be setting up games, reading rooms, and other opportunities for students and parents to further engage in literacy and understand what services and other programming is available to them in Kosciusko County. Local college students will also participate with initiatives they’ve created to hep students gain new language skills.

Students and parents will get to hear stories read by Mayor Joe Thallemer and Warsaw Community Schools’ Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert. ABC correspondent and GMA3 co-anchor Eva Pilgrim will be virtually reading her children’s book, “Walter Does His Best.”

“We are so excited that Washington STEM will be holding a special literacy night for students and parents,” said Hoffert. “Literacy is the foundational block of success in academics and life. These essential literacy skills can be encouraged through simple methods such as the modeling of reading a great book. Washington’s literacy night will be an exciting night to inspire students with the joy of reading while also helping to equip parents with special strategies to encourage developmental literacy.”

Washington Principal Cheri Sleighter has been an advocate of this event since digital learning specialist Fabiola Nunez and PTO board members came up with the idea in Spring 2022.

“We are so excited to host a fun night that will bring the love of families together with the love of literacy,” said Sleighter.

Thanks to Warsaw Community High School freshmen, Lilliana Rak will be sharing her love of books with the students at Washington by launching a free tiny library on campus that evening so students, teachers, staff, and even central office employees will have easy access to books on a regular basis.

“I hope this library provides members of the community free access to books for both education and reading enjoyment,” said Rak. “I am very excited to share my love of reading through the Washington Elementary Tiny Library.”

Participants will be able to purchase dinner from Fire Kissed Pizza, who will be donating a percentage of their proceeds back to the school.

For more information about Washington’s literacy night, e-mail Nunez.