Hurricane elementary students get visits from ‘Lucky Listeners’ to kickoff reading program

HURRICANE — Several lucky community leaders, officials and members became “Lucky Listeners” on Wednesday as Three Falls Elementary School kicked off its new reading program.

Community members and leaders listened to 2nd graders read to kick off the new Lucky Listeners Lounge reading program at Three Falls Elementary, Hurricane, Utah, Nov. 8, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

“Anytime you can get kids reading, fantastic,” Three Falls Principal Jennifer Eggleston said.

Starting at 10 a.m., 84 adult volunteers met with second graders and listened to students read stories to them, as well as helped them pronounce words correctly.

Each student read to one volunteer and then moved on to another one. There were questions about their reading that the volunteers helped each student answer.

Eggleston said this was the first year and first time doing the “Lucky Listeners Lounge” event.

“The whole purpose is to get kids reading,” she said. “They get different listeners so they have a different audience. Not always the teacher. Not always the principal or the reading specialist.”

The other thing that is so important with the program is it brings together the community with the school, she said.

“Any exposure the communities can have as to what actually goes on in schools that is what we want,” Eggleston added.

The volunteers consisted of parents, grandparents, community members, business leaders, government leaders, district leaders and first responders. Hurricane Mayor Nannette Billings and Utah House Representative Joe Elison also participated.

School leaders who “listened” included district Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education Nate Esplin, Director of Student Services Brad Christensen, Director of Assessment, Research and Professional Development Brad Ferguson, Human Resources and Wellness Technician Mitzi Lytle, amongst others.

Other government and business leaders or first responders included Hurricane Police School Resource Officer Jimmy Duffey, Hurricane City Engineer Arthur LeBaron, Paparazzi Leaders Karina Chani and Beth Ashlee, Wal-Mart Distribution Maintenance Manager Ben McMurray, Keller Williams Realty representatives Jake and Rachel Peart, Mountain Mike’s Pizza owner Nic Lauritzen, Balance of Nature representative Mike Eggleston, Zesty Skin owner McKaela Nuttal, amongst others.

There were also several current and retired school teachers and staff who assisted.

Eggleston said they will be hosting the Lucky Listeners Lounge again in April for the 1st graders. She said they are hoping to have more listeners. Although 100 attended, they were hoping for more. She said they have some things to tweak to make April’s reading a little smoother.

After the reading time, the students and listeners sat down, ate muffins, drank milk together and chatted.

“Overall, it was fantastic,” she said.

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Hurricane elementary students get visits from ‘Lucky Listeners’ to kickoff reading program

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