Families in the Stonewall area will have an opportunity to celebrate reading, storytelling and literacy during a family-friendly community event planned for June 6 at Quarry Park.
The event, titled Let’s Read Together, is being organized by Jennifer Rukhra, equity and social justice chair for the Interlake Teachers’ Association, and will take place Saturday, June 6 at 1 p.m. on the grassy area near the pond at Quarry Park.
The event will feature guest readers, literacy activities, snacks and opportunities for children and families to engage with books in an inclusive outdoor setting. Families attending with children will also have the opportunity to select a free picture book or chapter book donated through United for Literacy.
Rukhra said the idea for the event was inspired by a similar literacy initiative organized in the Lord Selkirk School Division.
“As an educator and as equity and social justice chair with the Interlake Teachers Association, it is my role to promote social justice and to support my colleagues with social justice issues related to the profession,” said Rukhra. “My ESJ counterpart in Lord Selkirk School Division has organized a similar event and as soon as I learned of the idea, I was inspired to consider it for our corner of the Interlake.”
Guest readers attending the event will represent diverse perspectives related to culture, mental health, ability and French language.
Among the special guests expected to participate is Manitoba Teachers’ Society president Lillian Klausen.
“Having the president of the Manitoba Teachers Society attend is a great honour,” said Rukhra. “It demonstrates a commitment from our union leader to make grassroots connections to local initiatives and her support of literacy and diversity.”
Rukhra added that Klausen’s French-language background made her an ideal fit for the event, especially with the continued growth of French immersion programming within Stonewall schools.
Families attending can expect several read-aloud sessions with guest readers, a bookmark make-and-take activity and opportunities to connect with other community members in an outdoor setting.
“Sharing stories and connection through literacy is so important, given all the demands on busy families,” said Rukhra. “The purpose of this event is to carve out that time for families to enjoy a read aloud with special guests, in the beauty of the outdoors, while connecting with other community members.”
Rukhra said the event is intended to create another opportunity for families to gather together in a welcoming community environment, particularly for those who may not already be connected through sports or other organized activities.
“Getting families out, reading together, spending time connecting, that makes for a healthy community,” she said. “It is my hope that families that aren’t connected to sport or other community activities see this as a way of meeting other families and building connections.”
Rukhra also emphasized the connection between literacy, inclusion and social justice.
“With the divisiveness in our world right now, it is so important for us to understand each other,” she said. “Books tell a story and perspective taking builds empathy. There are so many quality picture books that reflect the diversity in our world. It is my hope with this event that diversity and inclusion are celebrated and valued.”
Organizers are hoping to attract approximately 100 children and caregivers to the event. Posters featuring a QR code to register for the free books are currently available at Stonewall daycares and Family Foods.
“My hope is to provide a venue for families to connect with good literature, community members, and meet some amazing guest readers,” said Rukhra. “It is open to all families within Stonewall and the surrounding community.”
