The Currier Memorial School (CMS) saved the best for last at its final Camp Read-a-Lot. In this beloved tradition at the Pre-K through fifth grade school, set to close this June, one night is set aside each year for an all-school community celebration of literacy.
“Camp Read-a-Lot incorporates a number of the components essential to learning,” said CMS Principal Carolyn Parillo. “Reading, writing, storytelling, and listening all come into play and this year our students and staff worked hard to put together a night to remember.”
The school traditionally selects a topic for the Camp inspired by a book read by every student. In a nod to its origin, this year CMS selected the children’s picture book, No More Plastic in the Ocean, authored by Lavinia Currier, member of the founding Currier family.
Currier, who lives on the island of Moloka‘i in Hawaii, helped launch the festivities with an all school reading of her story in March via a remote link to the school. The aquatic theme of the book, along with her Hawaiian location, led to the idea of including an underwater setting and an observance of Hawaiian culture for the Camp.
The students and staff all pitched in to handcraft props depicting jellyfish, seaweed, octopuses, turtles and other various sea creatures. These fixtures, along with painted camp tents all glowed in the dark with the help of black lighting.
“They worked so hard to make this night special,” said Parillo. “When you walked into our gymnasium the staging and the colors took your breath away.”
Lavinia Currier also contributed to the festivities by sending along a few items steeped in Hawaiian lore. Lauhala floor mats, made from dried palm leaves, were placed around the tents and campfires for comfortable sitting. Hawaiian leis added another element of island flavor to the night.
But Camp Read-a-Lot is more than a visual experience. To get the full measure of the evening, students, family, and staff “campers” all join together to soak in a night of learning.
The evening started with participants gathering around assigned tents for reading with books of their choice. The group then pulled together around a central campfire, where CMS teacher Michael Luzader regaled the gathering with his delightful story about the frog who swallowed up the ocean.
With one tall tale fresh in their minds, campers returned to their tents for their own time of group storytelling around a campfire. One person began the yarn, before turning the plot over to the camper sitting next to them. As the story moved around the circle, the chain of events got more dramatic and silly, drifting far from where it began. Many of the students felt this was the high point of the night.
To close the evening, the gathering made one last nod to Hawaiian culture. Luzader’s wife Kathryn, who just happens to be the CMS music teacher, pulled out a ukulele and led the audience in the island’s Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo‘ole’s version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
“This night is always special at our school,” said Parillo. “Camp Read-a-Lot brings our Currier family together to enjoy learning and each other's company. This one we won’t forget.”
(Photo above: The group storytelling circle was a highpoint of drama and silliness for all participants.)
Painted camp tents with colorful aquatic images glowed in the dark with the help of black lighting.
Lavinia Currier donated Lauhala floor mats, made from dried palm leaves, that were placed around the tents and campfires for comfortable seating.
The campers pulled together around a central campfire, where CMS teacher Michael Luzader regaled the gathering with his delightful story about the frog who swallowed up the ocean.
This father and daughter write postcards with invisible ink to send home as a remembrance from Camp Read-a-Lot.
This young camper enjoyes an evening celebration of literacy at Currier's Camp Read-a-Lot.
The students and staff all pitched in to handcraft props and images depicting jellyfish, seaweed, octopuses, turtles and other various sea creatures.