Students ‘Read Across America’ and school district
They came to read. There was no time to play as students celebrated an author's birthday on a cold, cold winter's day.
Some wore hats. Others wore grins. Each enjoying the books that were read to them.
As part of the national Read Across America campaign, students in the Basehor-Linwood School District celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday Friday, March 1.
Technically, Dr. Seuss' birthday wasn't until the next day but that didn't stop students and teachers from honoring the late children's author.
Students made red and white stove hats, listened to guest readers recite Seuss's most famous books and ended the day with an assembly about the importance of reading.
Basehor Elementary School Principal Terri Holmes said the day was a way to help students value reading.
"It's just a way to emphasize how important reading is," Holmes said.
BES teacher Victoria Davids, who was on the committee that organized the celebratory day, said the event was important to students and adults.
"The theory behind Read Across America is to have adults and children reading together," Davids said. "It's important for the child to see the importance of reading outside of school."
It appears the message got across to at least two BES students.
BES fifth-graders Lucas Turner and Mitch Mallon both said they enjoyed the day's events and would continue to read in their spare time.
More than 20 guest readers from the community were brought to the school to read a Seuss tale to a classroom.
Before the stories were read, Basehor Mayor Bill Hooker read the Dr. Seuss oath to the school.
Guest readers ranged from city officials, school administrators and local business owners.
Davids said she was pleased with the community's involvement with the event.
"We were just really pleased with the community's support," Davids said. "They took time out of their day to come in."
Holmes said all the guest readers emphasized how important reading was to their job.
"We wanted their career to tie in with why it's important they read well," Holmes said. "Also, I think they thought this was a good activity and wanted to be a part of it."
School officials said all the readers would be asked back for next year's event.
"All the adults really seemed to enjoy this," said Debbie Derringer, BES secretary, who arranged for the guest speakers. "They all said 'please invite me back'."