Liberty Middle School Hosts Annual Pajama Party

Photos

Jayna Cowley (center) reads a book to some young listeners at the PJ Party Credits: Todd Cohen
Berlinda Brun (left center) and Sarah Soy read a book to some attendees at the PJ Party. Credits: Todd Cohen
Roosevelt Middle School reading teacher Jay Wecht (top) reads "The Gift of Nothing" to the audience. Credits: Todd Cohen
Roosevelt Middle School reading teacher Jay Wecht (center) illustrates for a group of youngsters and adults. Credits: Todd Cohen
A young attendee greets Little Boy, a therapy dog, in pajamas. Credits: Todd Cohen
Jay Wecht (right) illustrates during the "Read S'More Books" Pajama Party. Credits: Todd Cohen
Proud parents pose for a photo during the annual Pajama Party at Liberty Middle School. Credits: Todd Cohen
Students from Hanover Park and Montville High Schools perform a Disney medley prior to the Pajama Party Credits: Todd Cohen
Berlinda Brun (left center) and Sarah Soy read as Liberty Middle School science teacher Marie Corvelli looks on. Credits: Todd Cohen
Rosie Castro (left) and Victor Rojas read to some young attendees at the PJ Party Credits: Todd Cohen

Liberty Middle School Hosts Annual Pajama Party

Cynthia Cumming

Saturday, May 26, 2012 • 9:01am

WEST ORANGE, NJ - For one night, Liberty Middle School was transformed into a campground. With no campfires or wild animals around, the only things rustling were the pages of books being read in the district’s newest school.

Liberty Middle School held its fifth annual Pajama Party from 6-8 p.m. on May 11. Designed to promote literacy, the theme of the event was “Read S’More Books” and dozens of children in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade were exposed to different ways to enjoy reading.> The program is run by Maryann Solimo, a reading teacher at the school, and Fran McEldowney, who served as the school’s library media specialist before retiring two years ago.

The young readers spent time at one of three stations during the two-hour event. At one area, eighth grade students from Liberty read a book to small groups ofchildren, and then presented the children with a project that went along with the theme of the book, which was selected based on the grade-level of the visiting children. At a second station, the youngsters were given the opportunity to select one free book to take home based on their respective reading levels. As the children picked the books, they enjoyed snacks and various treats in the cafeteria. The third and final station featured a book reading and illustrations by Roosevelt Middle School teacher Jay Wecht. Wecht read “The Gift of Nothing” by Patrick McDonnell and then drew various popular cartoon characters including Popeye, SpongeBob Squarepants and Snoopy.

The participants were also greeted by several songs from Hanover Park High School students Dante Pasquale, Mikey Miller and Mike Rocco and Montville High School student Salena Wilson.

“It’s a great way to encourage young people to read,” Solimo said. “It’s so important to nurture and promote reading and our pajama party."

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