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Schools planning events to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday
Special events are planned March 2 at numerous Grand Island Public Schools to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday on Read Across America Day.
The National Education Association (NEA) sponsors Read Across America Day, where children celebrate reading on Dr. Seuss' birthday, which is on March 2. NEA launched Read Across America Day in 1997 to focus the country's attention on how important it is to motivate children to read in addition to helping them master basic skills.
One special event scheduled is distribution of free books to Starr Elementary School students. This will occur from 12:10 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 2 at the school at 315 Wyandotte St., with books provided through funding from Reading Is Fundamental and the Grand Island Community Foundation, Principal John Hauser said.
Summaries of activities at schools (listed alphabetically) are:
Gates Elementary School: Students will take turns throughout the day reading in the school's new Reading Lounge that was created this year by Gates' PTA, Principal Julie Martin said. The Cat in the Hat is visiting and reading to all kindergarten through second-grade students and bringing Tootsie Rolls to "roll into reading" for third- through fifth-grade students. Representatives from Smitty's Performing Arts Center will perform a "Seussical" at approximately 9 a.m. March 2. Gates students are reading to residents at Tiffany Square Care Center, Wedgewood (10 a.m. March 2), Bickford Cottage (10:30 a.m. March 2), Riverside Lodge (1:30 p.m. March 2), and Lebensraum. Guest readers from Grand Island Senior High School and the community will read to students throughout the day. All students will "drop everything and read" between 12:50 p.m. and 1 p.m. March 2. Parents of fourth-grade students will read to them between 2:30 p.m. and 3:05 p.m. March 2. Students in fourth-grade teacher Patsy Steenson's class are having a "read-in" all day with guest readers.
Jefferson Elementary School: Students will start the day on March 2 by reciting the Readers' Oath in the school's gym, Principal Jeanna Fiala said. Students in each classroom will read a Dr. Seuss book of their choice and write a sentence that summarizes the book. Next, each classroom will have one or more students read the summary sentences and use Photo Booth software to create a video podcast with a Dr. Seuss picture in the background. Students from Grand Island Senior High School will read to students.
Knickrehm Elementary School: Students are participating in special reading activities throughout the week and are focusing on several Dr. Seuss books, Principal Andrew Rinaldi said. On March 2, students will say the Readers' Oath and wear exercise clothing to accent the theme, "exercise your right to read." On March 3, students will wear blue Knickrehm shirts, highlighting the theme, "we'd be blue without books." On March 4, students will wear silly socks to coordinate with "Fox in Sox." On March 5, students will wear red and Dr. Seuss hats to celebrate, "Knickrehm kids are red hot readers."
Newell Elementary School: Students may wear Dr. Seuss hats on March 2, Principal Brad Wolfe said. Dr. Seuss trivia questions will be posted on a bulletin board during the week. Students will try to find the answers to the trivia questions and put their names in a box. Students will be asked Dr. Seuss questions on March 2 in the gym and will receive a treat for each name drawn to answer the question. Names will also be drawn to answer trivia questions throughout the week during morning announcements. Also, everyone at Newell will participate in a "drop everything and read" for 15 minutes during the morning of March 2.
Seedling Mile Elementary School: Students will celebrate reading with a school-wide readers' theater at their morning assembly at 7:55 a.m. March 2, Principal Lee Wolfe said. Then, students in grade levels will come together to read a Dr. Seuss book and complete an activity together.
Shoemaker Elementary School: Activities are planned throughout the week at Shoemaker, Principal Toni Palmer said. Students will celebrate Nebraska's birthday on March 2 by wearing red and will also take the Readers' Oath during morning announcements. March 3 is Fox in Socks Day, where students are asked to wear crazy socks. Students in these grades will be paired: kindergarten and third grade, first and fourth grade, and second and fifth grade. March 4 is Grinchy Green Day. Students are asked to wear green and will have guest readers in their classrooms. March 5 is Cat in the Hat Day where students may wear a Dr. Suess hat. Representatives from Smitty's Performing Arts Center will perform "Seussical the Musical" dance at 7:45 a.m. Thursday, March 5.
Stolley Park Elementary School: Throughout the day on March 2, Stolley Park students will go to the school's library for a reading slumber party. Students may wear pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed toy or pillow to school. Students will read for at least 20 minutes, record the number of pages they read on slips of paper, and place the paper in a jar. Also, Stolley Park students will be challenged to read 2,009 pages in honor of the day. Teachers and guests will share their favorite books with students in the gym before school starts, Principal Carrie Kolar said. Students will then recite the Readers' Oath before heading to their classrooms. Teachers will be asked to pick their favorite children's books, and the selected books will be displayed in the school's library.
For more information, contact: Principals at the respective schools
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