Over 350 parents, students, and community members turned out for Gleason School’s annual Family Reading Night, a night where books were enjoyed by the entire family and history came alive. With every page turned and every inspiring historical speech, families enjoyed learning together.
As the night began, the theme “Catch the Reading Bug” became clear as some familiar faces got into character: Mr. Lee Lawrence, Mrs. Amy Lawrence, and Poppy the Puppy dressed up as friendly “bugs” to spread the joy of reading. Each kid in attendance received a free book to enjoy with their families and reading-themed prizes reinforced the joy of diving into a good story.
“It’s always a joy to put a book in a child’s hands and watch their eyes light up,” shared Amy Lawrence, librarian at Gleason School. “We want them to know that reading is more than just words on a page and nights like tonight help spark a lifelong love for reading.”
Families also found themselves stepping back in time with the Living History Wax Museum, where students dressed as historical figures and delivered captivating monologues detailing the life of their inspiration. Guests listened as Amelia Earhart shared her tales of aviation, Lewis and Clark reflected on their journeys, and other icons shared their stories alongside detailed posters and props that truly brought history to life.
“Watching the dedication these students have given to this project has been incredible,” said Sherri Brawner, third grade teacher at Gleason School. “They’re not just reading about history—they’re living it. The best way to learn is to do, and this is the perfect example of that.”
“It’s one thing to memorize facts, but as these students embody historical figures, they form connections to those facts and history,” added Brittany Bargery, fourth grade teacher at Gleason School. “Our students stepped into these roles with excitement, and it was so special to see them bring their figures and what they learned to life in such a creative way.”
As families moved from figure to figure and then settled in to read, they weren’t just guests of the school—they were actively sharing in their child’s education.
“Seeing our school filled with families coming together is truly incredible,” shared Lee Lawrence, Principal at Gleason School. “Events like Family Reading Night reinforce that education is a partnership, and when we create opportunities for families to learn together, both our students and our community benefit.”
Adding to the excitement, the Weakley County Prevention Coalition set up a booth to provide resources to families and brought along their mascot, Lambi, who quickly became a fan favorite.
"Events like this showcase that our schools are the hearts of our communities," said Jeff Cupples, Director of Schools for Weakley County. "As a Tennessee Reward School, Gleason School is proving that what they are doing clearly works. When families, students, and the community learn together, bonds are strengthened that support lifelong success. It’s wonderful to see so many engaged families sharing in the joy of reading and history."
Assistant Director of Schools Betsi Foster also emphasized the importance of the community coming together to support education.
“Family Reading Night reinforces that learning doesn’t stop when we leave the classroom and it flourishes when families and communities share in the experience. Watching these students get excited about their projects and seeing so many families enjoying reading together is truly inspiring,” shared Foster.
By the end of the night, we can confidently say that Gleason has officially “caught the reading bug” and the impact is clear: it’s not just about reading, it’s about bringing a community together to create memories that will last a lifetime.