The Neag School of Education hosted a Fall Fest Literacy Night at North Windham Elementary School as a way to engage students and strengthen the Neag-North Windham relationship. The event gave pre-teaching students in Noemi Maldonado Picardi’s “INTD 1810: Inspiring the Urban Educator” class the opportunity to work together on a large-scale project, gain experience working with young students and give back to the community.

This is the second year Neag students have participated in this program.

“The event is a great opportunity for students who participate in North Windham’s Before/After School program, their parents, and UConn students to participate with a read-aloud literacy event, along with arts and crafts and health awareness activities,” said Picardi, the Neag School’s outreach coordinator.

“I thought of doing this as part of my class to allow students to have hands-on experience working with students and build a relationship with Windham Schools,” Picardi said.

Approximately 22 Neag students participated, coordinating and working at the 2012 event. Throughout the school year, Neag students also work with students in the Before/After program coordinated by Luis Rivera, providing homework help and a safe place for students to play and interact with their peers.  “The extracurricular and enrichment activities combined make it a rewarding learning environment where parents can feel comfortable leaving their children,” Picardi said.