Reading affects everything; and families do not have to figure it out alone. Families from Davis and neighboring counties are invited to Regional Literacy Night at Bountiful Elementary on Wednesday, April 15, from 5:30 to 7:45 p.m. The event will be an engaging night for families—one that is practical, welcoming, and packed with support to build literacy skills together.
This free event is designed to help families support reading at home. Regional Literacy Night brings families and educators together to focus on one shared goal: helping children grow as readers. No registration is required, food will be provided, and childcare is included. Families will have chances to win prizes, including cash, books, and other resources throughout the night.
The evening begins at 5:30p.m. with dinner until 6:00 p.m. Our featured speaker during this time is Jodi Rees, a Literacy Administrative Coach with Davis School District. She works closely with school principals to support reading growth in schools across the district.
Literacy workshops will then run from 6:05 to 7:20 p.m., followed by time to visit with exhibitors until 7:45p.m. Parents can attend workshops distraction free, while children are cared for and engaged in the daycare area. Select classes will be offered in Spanish and all workshops are centered around a clear goal: give families useful ideas they can take home and use right away.
An outline of scheduled workshops is listed below for families to review in advance and determine which sessions best fit their needs. Presenters have worked hard to ensure all workshops are engaging and definitely worth the time.
Boosting Your Child’s Oral Language | K - 2
English | Rm.#1119 (Blue Hall) | Elena King
English | Rm.#1120 (Blue Hall) | Christin Perovich
Before a child can read a word, they have to hear it and say it! This session focuses on simple, fun ways to build your child’s oral language skills at home. You’ll learn how everyday moments, like grocery shopping or driving in the car—can become powerful opportunities for your child to build the vocabulary and speaking skills they need to become confident readers.
Understanding Acadience Scores | K - 6
English | Rm.#1318 (Yellow Hall) | Nicole Wright
Spanish | Rm.#1317 (Yellow Hall) | Olivia Webberley
Ever look at your child’s reading report and wonder what the numbers actually mean? We’re breaking it down for you. Learn how to read your child’s Acadience scores, understand their progress, and discover the most important questions to ask your child’s teacher during your next conference to ensure they are getting the support they need.
3 Simple Tools for Better Comprehension | K - 6
English | Rm.#1320 (Yellow Hall) | Jessica Payne
English | Rm.#1319 (Yellow Hall) | Hannah Gibson
Reading is more than just sounding out words; it’s about understanding the story! In this session, we’ll share three easy-to-use “talk tools” that will get your child thinking deeply and chatting excitedly about what they read. You’ll leave with practical strategies to help your child move from “just reading” to truly understanding.
The Magic of Reading Aloud | K - 6
English | Rm.#1100 (Blue Hall) | Julie Dixon
Spanish | Rm.#1101 (Blue Hall) | Myra Suarez
You’re never too old (or too young) for a great story. Join us to explore the “why” and “how” of high-quality read-alouds. We’ll demonstrate how sharing a book together builds a love for reading, increases vocabulary, builds oral language, and strengthens family bonds. Come discover how 15 minutes a day can make a lifetime of difference.
Finding the Just-Right Book | K - 6
English | Library (Upstairs) | Tara Berge
Finding books that your child can read and actually wants to read can be a challenge! Because your child’s interest is foundational for reading success, this session reveals the secret to balancing their curiosity with their current reading skills. Using the simple IPICK strategy, you’ll learn how to identify “Practice Books” for solo reading and “Knowledge Books” for reading together. You’ll leave with easy “bridge-building” tips to help your child tackle exciting stories and build a lifetime of reading confidence.
Art as a Bridge to Literacy | K - 6
English | Rm. #1301 (Yellow Hall)
BTS Arts turn every story time into a vivid landscape of discovery and connection! This session explores the SEE-THINK-PROMPT-DRAW method—a dynamic arts integration strategy that uses sketching as a powerful gateway to deeper literacy. You’ll master the technique of "dialogic reading," using strategic distancing prompts that help children bridge the gap between the printed page and their own lives. By weaving together careful observation and creative expression, you aren't just reading a book; you are sparking visual literacy, critical thinking, and communicative confidence—one sketch at a time.
Reading Struggles, Caring for Confidence | K - 6
English | Rm. #1306 (Yellow Hall)
Learning to read isn’t just academic—it can shape a child’s confidence, motivation, and feelings about school. This session helps parents understand the emotional side of reading struggles and how frustration or low self esteem can develop when reading feels hard. Families will learn practical, research based ways to support their child at home, build confidence, and help their child see themselves as a capable, growing reader—while keeping their love of learning strong.
Regional Literacy Night will be held at Bountiful Elementary, 1620 South 50 West, Bountiful, UT 84010, from 5:30p.m. to 7:45p.m. Families are invited to come eat, learn, connect, and leave with tools to help their children grow as readers. Everyone can expect hands-on activities, useful take-home ideas, and workshops built around real questions concerning literacy support at home.