Decorah Elementary Schools recently hosted a “Wild About Reading” Elementary Family Literacy Night. Nearly 400 participants joined for literacy games, animal-themed snacks, reading with certified dogs, art projects, animal artifact exploration, and a special visit from some very wild animals (sharks!).

Event organizer Shanna Putnam Dibble expressed gratitude to the Decorah FEC (Family, Educator, and Community Organization) for sponsoring the event and to the Luther women’s basketball team, Winneshiek County Conservation, Decorah Public Library, and Girls Scouts of Eastern Iowa for volunteering. Dibble remarked, “The partnerships between school, home, and community are essential in nurturing lifelong learners, and we are very grateful for the support of our families and community who came together for an engaging night of learning and fun!”

Putnam Dibble interacted with sharks from the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

 Students created a variety of WILD animals at the Creature Creation Station

Students had the opportunity to read with certified dogs from the Decorah Public Library’s Dog Tales program

Students had the opportunity to read with certified dogs from the Decorah Public Library’s Dog Tales program

Rylee and Marshall Delaney enjoyed making WILD animal snacks, including tiger oranges

Families had the opportunity to explore lots of WILD animal artifacts with Winneshiek County Conservation