Special Events
Throughout the school year, HEROES coordinates various events throughout the Oakland Unified School District. For more information about any of these events, please contact HEROES.
Family Reading Nights
HEROES and the Oakland Parents Literacy Project partner to host Family Reading Nights at elementary schools throughout OUSD, in which parents and their children come to the school campus for an adventure in reading. Families hear stories told by guest readers and professional storytellers and receive gift books for personal use at home. Volunteers can assist with food preparation and classroom activities.
Read Aloud Day
Every year on Read Aloud Day, HEROES and OUSD team up to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday as part of the national Read Across America project. During the event, volunteers promote literacy in Oakland schools by reading to students, playing word games, and sharing their love of books. HEROES provides packets of donated books to be presented to each classroom.
HEROES also holds a Read Aloud Day on Halloween when possible. Volunteers dress in costume and read spooky stories to the students.
Dictionary Day
Give Oakland schoolchildren the gift of a dictionary, and have fun playing games as they learn how to use it! In third grade classrooms throughout the school district, volunteers present donated dictionaries to each student and help them explore this new tool. Sponsored by the California Dictionary Project.