Families at the Julia A. Stark Elementary School in Stamford, CT enjoyed their first Bingo For Books Family Fun Night in November. The evening was planned by Cornerstone Parent Rep, Regan Allan, in conjunction with the school’s parent/faculty organization (PFO) and annual book fair.

Over 150 families with children in grades K-5 attended the event and were treated to free popcorn, pretzels, and juice provided by the PFO. Resources were provided by Karen Metzger, Cornerstone coach in Springfield and a local company helped to create and print the bingo cards. Other adults in the building, including teachers, custodians, parents and administrators volunteered to plan and set up the event.

Eight games were played, with various themes such as Favorite Stories, Favorite Authors, Favorite Series and even Favorite Adult Books! Each bingo space listed a particular story, author, series, etc to go along with the theme. Students and parents could be overheard saying, “I love that author..what was father’s name in that story again...remember when we read that book on vacation?” Mrs. Sarah Santasiero, Stark’s Cornerstone coach, jumped in at various points during the games to ask questions of the families using the focused comprehension strategies. If the families participated in a question, they won a free book (donated by the PFO). Each game produced several winners, and students and parents alike were jumping out of their seats to yell, “Bingo” or answer a question. At the end of the evening, anyone who did not win a free book got a chance to choose one from the selection.

Already, families are asking when we can do it again!