The Philipsburg Jubilee Library, in collaboration with the department of Social Services and Section Labor Market (SOD/SLM) have officially launched a new literacy program with a family reading evening that was held in the library. The family literacy evening was initiated to involve parents as well their children in a literacy event that is aimed toward promoting reading in general and encouraging parents to read to their children. Under the slogan: “SXM reads!” a variety of activities will be organized to support persons with low literacy skills.
There were 11 families present at the Family Reading evening and a total of 25 children. The literacy evening started off with presentations by the program coordinator Cherida Creebsburg and library Director Monique Alberts. Literacy expert, Ms. Patti Maier followed up with a discussion about how important reading is and she also discussed different ways of how reading can be made more fun, using different creative methods to do so. After her presentation, Ms. Maier invited all present to gather in a circle for an interactive group reading session. After the first session, attendees were split up into groups for a more individual reading session. Social worker Rachel Doorzon who assisted in the program noted “This activity had a big impact on both the parents and the children…In one family, the mother could not read nor write, and during the reading session it was heartwarming to see how her children were encouraging her to participate with them in the reading”.
The literacy program is sponsored by the office of Representation of the Netherlands in Sint Maarten, the Windward Islands bank and Seven Seas Water Company.
The next family reading evening is scheduled for June 17th, 2015. Persons interested in attending can call the library at 542-2970.
