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Event encourages reading at home

Fairytales came to life for ����Ӱҵ ISD’s youngest learners during a magical night of storytelling, costumes and hands-on literacy fun.

����Ӱҵ ISD’s early childhood learning department put on their “Once Upon a Time” event last month for pre-K and kindergarten students at the district’s Professional Development Center, transforming the building into a whimsical land designed to encourage little learners and their families to read.

Many of the kids came dressed as princesses and princes – or Bluey – and couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw Disney princesses (aka ����Ӱҵ ISD early childhoodlearning staff) and other characters from their favorite stories. Most posed with wide eyes for pictures with the princesses they thought were real before heading off to lots of fun activities.

The activities were all storybook themed. In one room, Moore Elementary pre-K teacher Debbie Modawell read the story “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” and helped kids act it out with puppets. She even had a bridge for the billy goats to walk over.

“I love doing this event because it brings books to life for learners!” Modawell said. “Pre-K is all about exploring literacy to enhance critical thinking, build vocabulary and empower learners to communicate. A love for reading engages curiosity, builds strong minds and inspires great readers and writers.”

Making connections with literature and sparking a lifelong love of reading was what the night was all about.

“Our greatest satisfaction was seeing the smiles and joy of all the children and families who learned practical ideas for making literacy fun at home,” said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, ����Ӱҵ ISD director of early childhood learning. “We take children’s education and learning experience very seriously because we know that they will only be pre-K and kinder students once.”

Pre-K Registration for 2025-2026 is open now

Fairytales are fun, but ����Ӱҵ ISD’s innovative pre-K is the real deal, and now is the time to register for next school year. Learn more about pre-K 3 and pre-K 4 and enroll here. And if you have any pre-K questions, email or call the early childhood learning team at prekquestions@arlingtonisd.org or (682) 867-9418.