The beloved annual autumn tradition for the families of Bugbee Elementary School returned on Oct. 6.

Bugbee fourth grader Trent Leahy reads to his grandma. Courtesy photo

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“Sweater Weather” is here and at Bugbee that means it’s time for the annual fall family event, Reading Under the Stars.

Every October, Bugbee families join together on the lawn with blankets and books to celebrate the joy of reading. A crystal clear sky on Thursday, Oct. 6 provided the conditions for perfect moonlit reading and coming together in an act of “Unity” –Bugbee’s word of the year. Principal Kelly Brouse joined three other guest readers to share special read alouds that aligned with Bugbee’s focus of the year on being a team and supporting one another.

Former UConn basketball player and current UConn announcer Meg Culmo was a guest reader at the event, spotlighting Bugbee’s theme of the year “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work.” Courtesy photo

Meg Culmo, former UConn Women’s basketball player, UConn announcer, and proud parent of Bugbee alumni, read “Chicken Dance” by Tammi Sauer to a crowd of eager student listeners to kick off the night. After the entertainment, students got up to do the chicken dance, bringing in another school tradition from the Spring Field Day event.

School Counselor Alison Jamin reads “Carrot and Pea” with the support of Reading Teacher Beth Mazur. Courtesy photo

Following Culmo, Bugbee’s new School Counselor Alison Jamin read “Carrot and Pea” by Morag Hood, a story about finding your own strengths through unlikely friendships. West Hartford is thrilled to have expanded their mental health support for students at the elementary level with the new position of school counselors this year, and it is evident Jamin is already an important part of the Bugbee Community.

Bugbee families read on the front lawn. Courtesy photo

Principal Brouse challenged the students to practice “stamina” by going back with their grown ups to read for seven minutes straight before she joined Curriculum Specialist Katie Feldman for the final act of the night. Students in grades K-5 have been practicing what it means to have stamina in all different ways, from reading and writing to working independently, so the Bugbee scholars knew just what to do. A quiet hush came across Bugbee field as families snuggled up together to enjoy a good book.

Bugbee Teachers Valerie Hansen and Cathy Gagnon pass out mini-flashlights to students. Courtesy photo

The evening offered many special elements for families, including mini-flashlights that students could “use to read under the covers after their grown ups put them to bed,” as Brouse advised the crowd.

The Bugbee Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee shared resources and books to promote diversity in literature. Courtesy photo

The West Hartford Public Library joined the fun and had a library card sign-up table, and the Bugbee Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee also promoted ways to enhance diversity and inclusion within day to day reading habits. Information about how books can be mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors as well as book lists promoting age-appropriate titles that spotlight diverse characters and experiences were shared.

Organizer of the event, Bugbee Library Media Specialist Amy Vlosky-Finley, closed the night sharing, “How truly special it is to join together under the stars as a Bugbee family for the most important of activities … reading!”

Families were able to sign up for a library card with the West Hartford Public Library. Courtesy photo

Bugbee families read on the front lawn. Courtesy photo

Eleanor, a KP student, takes a selfie with Bugbee mascot Buzzbee. Courtesy photo

Grade 1 teacher Shoshana Foster and School Counselor Alison Jamin join Bugbee mascot Buzzbee at the event. Courtesy photo

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