Pottstown School District

As we continue our August series highlighting what is positive in Pottstown, the local schools deserve recognition, specifically programs within the schools that help students succeed.

One of the examples highlighted this week as a "Positive in Pottstown" was Family Literacy Nights, a free and easy program begun by the school district to help parents help their children with reading.

The basic idea, said Assistant Superintendent Jeff Sparagana who spearheaded the initiative, is "to provide parents, who are for all intents and purposes a child's first and best teacher, with the skills necessary to teach their child to read at home."

The events were initially geared toward parents of 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds, but this year a component for first grade students will be added, said Sparagana.

Family Literacy Nights are part of the district's ground-breaking school readiness initiative called PEAK. During the programs, parents get information about ways to help their child with reading skills while the children spend time with teachers doing activities.

The night also features prizes of books, CDs and other items to help with learning in the home. Even home computers are among the prizes.

"The idea is to help parents develop their own home library for their children to help encourage reading," Sparagana says. "All of this reinforces the things happening in school."

At the other end of the spectrum in the high school, on the football field a group of parents and community members make a difference with students through the Touchdown Club.

Football coach Brett Myers says the club's support makes the season possible. Recently, the club was able to refurbish the weight room and pay for football camp for team members. On a regular basis, they provide meals for the team and scholarships for two graduates each year.

The club also works with the team to provide Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas dinners to needy families. The goal is to help players understand the importance of giving back to their community.

The Touchdown Club "is truly just an amazing group of parents," said Myers. "I don't know whether they know how unusual they are, but I think everybody should know that Pottstown parents come out and bust their butts to make sure their kids have what they need."

The positives in Pottstown schools may not be on display, but they are at work always.

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