Skelly second through fifth grade students recited poems to showcase their public speaking skills in the Poetry Café on Mar. 3, 2026.
This annual event is held at Skelly Elementary each spring and allows students to build confidence, practice public speaking, and explore the beauty of language through poetry.
“This is one of my most favorite events of the year,” Emma Schrag-Culbertson, Student Support Liaison said.
A classroom is transformed into a cozy, café-style setting with dimmed lights, soft music, and centerpieces of electric candles and framed photos of famous poets.
The event is paired with classroom activities that allow students to prepare and refine their work before the big day. Parents are invited to watch their children recite original poems, classic verses, or other spoken word pieces.
Three staff members use a rubric to rate the performances based upon language arts and public speaking skills such as eye contact, reading fluency, and using an appropriate speaking volume.
Once the scores are tabulated, the top two from each classroom will be invited to an ice cream sundae party.