Reading specialist Susan Stolmeier and former Orcas Elementary Principal Coleen O'Brien at a past "Read Across America" Day
Contributed by Susan Stolmeier
Read Across America is celebrated every year on March 2nd, Dr. Seuess’ birthday.
The National Education Association has sponsored this event and encourages schools across our nation to promote adults reading to children. Orcas Island Elementary has done this event for the past 12 years with an assembly, volunteer commnunity and High School readers, a staff readers’ theater (always one of Seuess’ books).
This year each class in the elementary made a goal for reading in the month of February. Our readers have worked hard at meeting their goals. If all classes reach that goal by today (Feb. 26), Mr. Freeman, our school’s principal will commit to spending a day on the school’s roof. Our assembly is at 8:45 a.m., DEAR time (Drop Everything And Read) from 10:30-11:15, and a reception for our community volunteers in the library at 11:00.
It is a great opportunity for our whole community to find time and read with a child. As Dr. Seuss said, “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild to pick up a book and read with a child.”
Hi Susan,
Thanks for the mention of NEA’s Read Across America and for your appreciation of the importance of reading to children. NEA’s Vice President Lily Eskelsen recently wrote a very inspirational blog post that really drives home the point.
I hope you get the chance to check it out: https://lilysblackboard.org/
Thanks again,
Kevin Hart, NEA