Pumpkins with a Purpose: Building Literacy Efforts in Seminole County
Print This Post
Seminole County Family Connection hosted the annual Painting for Literacy Pumpkin Project this month. Families selected a favorite book to read together, and then chose a favorite character to inspire a pumpkin design. Each participant received a new book to read with their family.
Seminole County Family Connection began selling pumpkins downtown at a popup pumpkin patch six years ago to benefit the Collaborative’s efforts to broaden partnerships and support activities to improve community and civic health. “We wanted to give the pumpkins a purpose,” explained Billie McLendon, Seminole County Family Connection coordinator.
In Seminole County, 61.6% of third graders achieved Proficient Learner or above on the Milestones ELA assessment, compared to 63.4% in Georgia, according to the latest Georgia KIDS COUNT data. Helping children achieve this milestone is the Collaborative’s focus, so they brainstormed how to merge pumpkins and literacy—and the Painting for Literacy Pumpkin Project was born.
“Partner buy-in is critical for this project,” said McLendon. “Communication needs to be bridged well between the Collaborative and our community’s parents. Thankfully, our Collaborative is always open to new ideas and will say, ‘Let’s at least try it once.’”
To promote the project, Seminole County Elementary School sent home flyers along with a reminder text to families. Seminole County Family Connection pushed the event out via social media, and partners helped spread the word.
“Our Facebook report showed that 1,800 people were reached with our reminder post just by five partners sharing it and making connections to a wider audience,” said McLendon.
Family Connection’s partners helped sell pumpkins at the patch and judged the pumpkins, awarding first, second, and third place along with honorable mentions for pre-K through fifth grade.
“Teachers always say they’re so glad they don’t have to judge,” said McLendon. “I never judge because, living in a small town, it feels like everyone knows my phone number and will send me their kid’s smiling face with the finished product. The judges are rarely the same because they say it’s too hard to pick the winners. We joke that this is the only time you can be a one-and-done volunteer with Family Connection.”
This year, teachers transported 177 pumpkins from students’ cars and buses to Seminole County Elementary School’s breezeway, where they were displayed for the school community to enjoy. Then, the pumpkins were transported by partners to be exhibited downtown at the Donalsonville/Seminole County Harvest Festival.
“Parents often say this is their favorite project and they look forward to it every year,” said McLendon. “Kids that see me out and about will tell me what they’re doing this year or even what they’re thinking about for next year.”
The Collaborative aims to build reading comprehension skills through this project. When students read the book and discuss their pumpkin designs with friends and family, they’re also provided an opportunity to expand their vocabulary.
“My own children have participated in this project,” said McLendon. “One of my children used plastic pumpkins, and they’re still in her room today. She remembers the stories years later.”
McLendon makes a point to work at the pumpkin patch the weekend before the event when most families purchase their pumpkins. “I enjoy helping them find a pumpkin shaped like Captain Underpants, scarecrow faces, puppy paws—you name it,” said McLendon. “Then, I can’t wait to try to figure out which pumpkin was who’s at the event.”
Volunteers from the Seminole County Senior Center placed participation ribbons in the books that were gifted to all contestants thanks to fundraisers like the annual community Easter egg hunt, class photos, and the pumpkin patch.
The Painting for Literacy Pumpkin Project reinforces reading habits at home and encourages parents and caregivers to become more involved in their child’s reading progress. The whole family teams up together and are given space to brainstorm ideas together.
“The sky is the limit,” said McLendon. “We don’t put many boundaries up to hinder any ideas. We’ve seen pumpkins so inventive that people have requested to purchase them as art displays.”
McLendon had some advice for other Georgia Family Connection Collaboratives considering replicating this project in their own communities: “Do it!” McLendon pointed out that if a local school doesn’t have space to host the contest, other partners to tap include the Chamber of Commerce, public library, Downtown Development Authority, or other civic organizations.
“The cost is financially low, but the richness that is promoted through the community connection can’t be bought,” said McLendon. “This has turned into my favorite project that we do.”
Contact:
Krystin Dean
GaFCP Communications Specialist
706-897-4711
krystin@gafcp.org
Follow us on Twitter: @gafcpnews
Connect with us on Facebook.