The Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) Office of Professional Learning held its Annual Nonpublic Schools’ Parent & Family Engagement Night on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, welcoming 35 families for an evening designed to support student learning beyond the school year. The event took place at the Neag Planetarium at the Reading Public Museum, offering a unique and engaging setting for families to explore strategies to prevent summer learning loss.
Throughout the evening, families participated in hands‑on literacy, math, and social‑emotional learning activities facilitated by BCIU staff. These stations provided practical tools and take‑home strategies to help students maintain academic growth during the summer months. A representative from the Reading Public Library also joined the event, encouraging families to participate in summer reading programs and reinforcing the importance of continued literacy engagement.
Students attending the event received a free book to support at‑home reading, and families enjoyed refreshments generously donated by several community partners, including Dieffenbach’s Potato Chips, Unique Snacks, Wyomissing Family Restaurant, V&S Sandwich Shop, Yogo Crazy, Birthday Buddies, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and Redner’s Markets.
Highlights of the evening included a visit from “Stitch” and a special “Star Show” in the Planetarium, giving families a memorable shared learning experience and reinforcing the event’s focus on curiosity, exploration, and lifelong learning.