
Heidi Roering, from Hemker Park and Zoo in Freeport, holds a penguin named Ruby while students gently pet it at the One District One Book family night held at the high school Feb. 19.

More than 1,000 students and their families attended the One District One Book family night at the high school Feb. 19. This year the book is Mr. Popper’s Penguins, and a real penguin from Hemker Park and Zoo was on hand for students to see and interact with. There were also a lot of fun arts-and-crafts to take part in, as well.

Second-grade student Kaitlyn Burski gets a penguin painted on her face by volunteer Tammy Victorian during the event.

Ruby the penguin was on call at the high school for the One District One Book family fun night Feb. 19. Ruby was on hand along with a handler from Hemker Park and Zoo.