Katelyn Umholtz | The Valdosta Daily TimesThe fifth annual Pinevale Elementary School Family Fun Night took place Thursday evening with 18 learning sessions available to parents and students. 

VALDOSTA — What started as an idea to improve literacy has grown into a community-wide event that helps parents enrich their children’s education.

The fifth annual Family Fun Night was held at Pinevale Elementary School Thursday evening with over 90 volunteers and 18 sessions for parents, students and community members to attend. The sessions focused on continuing to teach kids when they leave the classroom.

Scarlet Brown, assistant superintendent at Valdosta City Schools, said the event is hosted by the Lowndes Commission of Children and Youth’s Birth to Work team, an organization dedicated to continuing education for all ages.

The team originally had one goal in mind — improving literacy and access to reading — but the event now includes hands-on learning tips, science lessons and technology resources.

“We want to support them in being better parents and being their child’s teacher because we believe parents are children’s first teacher,” Brown said. “It’s important to equip them with the skills they need to be the best parent they can be and to support overall learning.”

Around 100 guests, both parents and children, roamed the halls of Pinevale attending sessions like “Who Am I and What Do I Eat?” and “Parents Have the Power.”

Javonda Robinson, a parent of seven-year-old twin boys, has been coming to the event for four years.

Even though she is in the education field, she uses the resources at this event — like the free books that were available — to teach her children when they’re at home.

“I like to come here to get the resources that will help them with reading and math,” Robinson said. “This is going to empower (my children) and enrich their learning.”

Session guests included students and faculty from Valdosta State University, Northside Family Health Center and Choose Now.

The event is largely put on by the work of volunteers, Brown said, and it has grown in vendor, session and guest size since its first year back in 2014.

“It has grown and grown and grown every year,” Brown said.

“It’s a great way we can connect VSU, Valdosta City Schools, our LCCY Birth to Work team and all of these community agencies and partners with our families and students.”

Katelyn Umholtz is a reporter with the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256.