Quinn Elementary School students are getting sent off to sleep with a bedtime story through Facebook.

It’s a part of Quinn assistant principal Audra Thomas’s new Facebook live video series, titled “Sunday Storytime with Mrs. Thomas and Friends.”

In the series, which airs every Sunday night at 7:30 p.m., Thomas and special guests read stories while recording and live streaming through the Quinn PTO Facebook page.

“My main purpose of the Sunday story time is to promote reading, comprehension, and engagement which I think is so important,” Thomas said.

She hosted the first storytime program on March 31. It attracted nearly 50 viewers, and an additional 370 video views. She read “Good Night Gorilla” and “How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight” for the first show. They are geared towards younger children, but Thomas noted in future programs she plans to have stories suitable for all ages.

A major goal was making the program interactive, so she would pause to say hello to students as they logged in, and ask questions which students could respond to.

“It was really fun having them interact,” Thomas said. “They heard their names as I said hi to them, and good night, and they were able to answer questions as I read. They really loved it.”

Thomas was inspired by Belinda George, a principal in Texas who began a "Tucked in Tuesdays" program in March. She saw it on TV, and thought it would be a great program to bring to Dartmouth.

“I thought this is such a great idea,” Thomas said.

She brought the idea to Quinn Principal Kyle Grandfield and Superintendent Bonny Gifford, who were all supportive of the idea. In addition to providing students with another way to interact outside of school, it’s also boosting the school’s communication with parents, students, and the community.

“This is another way to do that, on the Internet,” Thomas said. “From the feedback parents and kids loved it, and every week it will be a different face and a different story.”

The programs will continue on the Quinn PTO Facebook page every Sunday at 7:30 p.m.