Most days you wouldn't find Ohio County Schools' classrooms filled with youngsters and teachers wearing giant red and white-striped hats. But Wednesday was no ordinary day. It was "Read Across America Day," and students celebrated Dr. Seuss.
The National Education Association established March 2 as "Read Across America Day," as that date marks the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Schools in Ohio County celebrated with a number of events that encourage children to read.
Schools had guest readers, like Elm Grove Elementary School where West Liberty University football players read to students. At Middle Creek Elementary, teachers sported "Cat in the Hat" hats for the day, and the children also took home their own book through the school's "Book-A-Month" club.
Article Photos
First graders at Elm Grove Elementary used Skype to read to a first-grade class in Oklahoma, while Bridge Street Middle School students used the Internet technology to read to Elm Grove Elementary students. Skype also was used to allow Middle Creek third-grade students to read to kindergarten students at Elm Grove Elementary.
West Liberty Elementary School had a circus theme at the school, based on their Dr. Seuss book selection "If I Ran the Circus." The students began the "Principal's Challenge" in which they are encouraged to establish reading goals to earn rewards given later this month.
Students at Bethlehem Elementary School decorated eggs based on their favorite book in anticipation of "Read Across America Day." The best decorated egg was chosen at the end of the day.
Superintendent George Krelis said he is proud of the effort to encourage students to read.
"This is where it starts," Krelis said. "The principals and teachers know that an interest in reading at an early age can pave the way for academic achievement. The staffs at the schools want the children to know how much fun they can have reading, and that means they also have fun learning."
