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Date: 3/8/2023
AGAWAM — Students and staff at Agawam’s four elementary schools were more excited than usual about reading recently when they participated in a week full of special activities.
They joined other schools from around the nation that participated in National Read Across America Week from Feb. 27 to March 3. Agawam schools scheduled a number of special themed events that focused on ways to encourage students to read while also having fun.
The centerpiece of this reading celebration took place on March 2 – the birthday of famed children’s author Dr. Seuss (aka Theodor Seuss Geisel), who was born in Springfield in 1904. Geisel penned more than 60 books using the Dr. Seuss name.
Granger School celebrated its week of reading with a “spirit week” that allowed students to wear clothing that honored a different Dr. Seuss book each day. Kids could wear pajamas or comfy clothes for “I Am Not Going to Get Up Today,” wear the color green for “Green Eggs and Ham,” or wear silly or mismatched socks for “Fox in Socks.”
For Dr. Seuss’s birthday, the school invited local guest speakers to read to students. They went into classrooms throughout the day reading Dr. Seuss and other stories aloud. Guest speakers included Mayor William Sapelli (a former teacher, principal and superintendent of schools in Agawam), Superintendent of Schools Sheila Hoffman, School Committee member Dawn DeMatteo and Assistant Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Salomao (previously principal at Granger).
“Our Read Across America dress-up spirit week and activities helped our students enjoy and relate to what they’re reading by linking books and reading to experiences in their own lives and lives of others,” said Pamela Rivers, Granger School’s lead teacher. “The week raises awareness, promotes diversity, inclusion and the message that reading is important.”
To make the day even more fun at Clark School, students were encouraged to read “The Cat in the Hat” – one of the beloved author’s best-known books – while wearing their favorite hat or a crazy hairstyle.
Among the other enjoyable activities at Clark were reading a silly story while wearing a silly outfit; dressing up like a famous American and reading a book about that person; wearing something representing a favorite sports team and then reading about an inspirational athlete; reading a favorite book while wearing a favorite color.
At Robinson Park School, students were asked to bring a flashlight to read a book of their choice in the dark. During the week, each read-aloud day focused on different topics and explored some fun with new picture books – from books about a different culture to silly books to books about kids with diverse abilities.
Other special activities included bringing a special snack to eat while reading a book and bringing a favorite stuffed animal to read to. Andrea Polley, lead teacher at Robinson Park, said Read Across America activities make reading fun by providing choices for reading and promoting the idea that reading doesn’t just mean students have to sit at their desks.
“These activities are designed to help inspire students to engage in reading books in a variety of ways,” said Polley, adding, “Who doesn’t love reading a good book with their favorite snack covered up with their favorite blanket?”
She said the idea of having students bring in stuffed animals to read to, for example, teaches kids that there’s always a way to practice reading out loud, even if it is “just” to a stuffed buddy.
At Phelps School, teachers used Read Across America to launch a series of “cool” reading events throughout March. It kicked off on Dr. Seuss’ birthday when students dressed as characters from their favorite books.
Principal Andy Villamaino – who got into the spirit by dressing as Horton the Elephant, a character in a Dr. Seuss book – said the school also will start a “One School, One Book” event this month.
“Each student will receive a copy of a book and we’ll read one chapter each day. Students will also complete a read-at-home-challenge,” he added.
Villamaino said Read Across America activities allow students and staff to come together as a school community to share their love for reading.
“We show kids that reading is more than just about books,” he said. “We try to highlight the different ways to enjoy reading – from reading in PJs with a pet to reading in a fort made out of pillows and sheets.”
Read Across America Day was launched in 1998 by the National Education Association. The event was later expanded from one day to a week and has since become the nation’s largest celebration of reading.