Parker Junior High Hosts Successful 'Pop into Reading' Night

FLOSSMOOR, IL — Parker Junior High School was buzzing with excitement as families filled the halls for the annual Reading Night, themed "Pop into Reading Night." The popcorn-themed event, designed to celebrate literacy and encourage a love of reading, brought together students, parents, guardians, and community members for an evening of engaging activities.

Organized by Flossmoor School District 161 Media Specialist Sarah Rudenga and Instructional Coach Stephanie Levy, the event featured a variety of fun and interactive reading experiences, ensuring a memorable night for all attendees.

One of the most popular attractions of the evening was the Book Tasting Room, where participants could sample a few pages from various books and jot down their thoughts. Designed like a cozy café, the space featured decorated tables with red-and-white checkered tablecloths, dinnerware, and an assortment of books at each place setting. This unique activity drew a steady stream of eager readers ready to explore new literary adventures.

“The goal of this event was to make reading a fun and interactive experience for families,” said Stephanie Levy. “With the collaboration from Parker Junior High staff, administration, City Year AmeriCorps Members, Parker Junior High PTO, and local organizations, we came together to deliver a fun, educational, and engaging night for our students and their families. It was heartwarming to walk through the halls, seeing families laughing and enjoying literacy together.”

As a bonus, the first 100 attendees received a special prize package, which included a coupon for an individual pizza from Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, a slice of cake from Portillo’s, and an ice cream cone from Rainbow Cone in Flossmoor. Upon arrival, guests also received a Passport to Popcorn, encouraging them to participate in various activities throughout the night. Attendees completed their passports and submitted them to Officer Levy of the Flossmoor Police Department, who was on-site handing out bags of popcorn.

In addition to reading-focused activities, families enjoyed a board game room, craft station, book fair, and photo opportunities. Community partners—including the Flossmoor Public Library, Chicago Heights Public Library, Parker’s very own published authors, and the nonprofit You Matter 2—were in attendance, offering resources and programs that support literacy and youth engagement. Outside, food trucks provided tasty treats to round out the evening.

"Parker’s Family Reading Night has become such a special event because it helps to ignite a passion for reading in our students and brings the community together," said Sarah Rudenga. "It’s wonderful to see families and community members exploring different activities together to foster that interest. It’s a joy to host this every year!"

Pop into Reading Night was a huge hit, with a great turnout and lots of positive feedback from families.