3rd Annual Literacy on the Lawn Event Brings Seminole County Community Together
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The Wild Robot is a story about adapting, resilience, and the importance of community—a fitting theme for the third annual Literacy on the Lawn event recently hosted by Seminole County Family Connection Collaborative.
The inaugural event in 2021 happened when the community had been isolated long-term without public events due to the pandemic. Holding an outdoor event created an inviting, family friendly atmosphere that’s become a key part of the initiative’s identity.
“The fresh air, the large space, and the relaxed environment have helped more people feel welcome and excited to attend year after year,” said Billie McLendon, Seminole County Family Connection Collaborative coordinator. Attendance increased from 230 participants in 2021 to over 300 in 2025.
This year’s event centered on The Wild Robot, which included a book giveaway, robot crafting station at Seminole County Elementary School’s (SCES) Literacy Bus, and movie night. Children and families also enjoyed jumbo outdoor games and inflatables.
“Our main goal is to bring families together through the power of literacy,” McLendon explained. “We want kids to be able to read about characters in a book and see them come to life on screen before their eyes.”
The Collaborative tapped guest readers from throughout the community—including pediatrician Ramon Bairan, Donalsonville Fire Department Lieutenant Kolby Bush, Seminole County Middle High School Defensive Coordinator Al Rumble, Mayor Ron Johnson, and SCES Principal Truette Johnson—to read a chapter each day in videos posted on social media the week leading up to the event. The community was also encouraged to guess a “masked reader” who was unveiled at Literacy on the Lawn.
“My child loves attending Literacy on the Lawn,” said Margaret Atwater, a SCES parent. “Receiving the book that matches the movie is an extra exciting bonus. She is always ready to read the book after the movie to compare how much detail is written versus what the movie shows. It really helps her love for reading grow.”
The event was made possible thanks to 30 volunteers, and McLendon said each role is vital—from the local 4-H Extension Office setting up outdoor games, to SCES’s IT team hooking up sound and securing the 25-foot inflatable screen in place.
“Our board members truly understand that when they agree to serve, it isn’t in name only,” McLendon said. “I’ve been here for nearly seven years, and they always show up ready to work.”
Strong relationships with the Collaborative’s partners and volunteer network help McLendon ensure all volunteers find a spot that enhances their strengths. For instance, a mom who’s active in the school booster club is the perfect fit to run concessions—while energetic teenagers enjoy staffing the inflatables to help keep all the kids safe.
“Working together helps us strengthen the home and school connection, making a real difference in student success,” said Rendy Godwin, SCES media specialist. “Our collaboration allowed us to share valuable literacy resources and ideas, helping families support their children’s learning outside the classroom.”
McLendon follows school systems from across the country with strong literacy initiatives, often speaking to their family engagement coordinators to see what is—or isn’t—working in their communities. Research and reviews from Family Connection’s own events also play a big part in their planning efforts.
One of McLendon’s most reliable sounding boards is in her own home. “Before presenting new event ideas to our board and Collaborative, I ask my kids for input,” McLendon said. “Since children and families are our focus, their voice matters too.”
Seminole is a Get Georgia Reading Campaign community, and the Collaborative has focused on working with the schools and other partners to improve third-grade reading proficiency for the past 19 years.
“Coming out of the pandemic, our school system implemented intervention specialists and programs within schools to identify students who were below grade level, meeting them where they were,” said McLendon.
Seminole County fifth graders achieving Proficient Learner or above on Milestones ELA assessment rose from 31.4% in 2021 to 34.1% in 2023. Third graders achieving Developing Learner or above on Milestones ELA assessment rose from 65.9% in 2021 to 74.7% in 2023.
Seminole County Family Connection Collaborative will continue to focus on third-grade reading achievement, a powerful predictor of high school graduation rates and overall quality of life, by working closely with dedicated partners.
“Our Collaborative is like a family. If there’s something to celebrate, we cheer each other on. When tragedy strikes, we support one another,” said McLendon. “When you have that personal connection with your community, it’s easy to get people to show up to help.”
Contact:
Krystin Dean
GaFCP Communications Specialist
706-897-4711
krystin@gafcp.org
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