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Campuses Celebrate Reading With PJ Days, Rap And Guests
Johnston
It was a unique take on ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ as offered up by Van Allen Elementary School Office Manager Linda Johnston, stepping away from the office for a bit on Friday to share her love of reading with fifth graders in teacher Jennifer Vick’s classroom. Marg Jackson/The Times
Audience
In Room 12, the second grade students of teacher Sydney Wheeler settled in to hear some stories by guest readers, with several of them stopping by the Van Allen campus on Friday. Marg Jackson/The Times

For students on campuses throughout the Escalon Unified School District, the focus was on reading. It was part of the celebration of Read Across America, observed each year in conjunction with the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as “Dr. Seuss.” Most sites had the main observance on Friday, March 3 and it was the first time in the past few years that the special activities were back in full force on local campuses.

Van Allen Elementary welcomed several guest readers throughout the day and even had a rap battle for some fifth grade students, doing their best rap interpretation of some Dr. Seuss favorites in teacher Zach Silver’s classroom.

Community members, parents, and even some school employees got into the act, sharing their love of reading.

Among them was Van Allen Office Manager Linda Johnston, who offered an interactive reading of ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ to fifth grade students in teacher Jennifer Vick’s class, moving around the room and engaging the students in the story.

During recess, Van Allen aide Cecilia Estrada sported a small Cat in the Hat headband.

“One of the teachers was retiring and they passed it on,” she said. “They knew I would wear it.”

In the second grade classroom of teacher Sydney Wheeler, parent Margie Goncalves shared a story about Monster Trucks, which she admitted was a family favorite.

“I love that the kids get the chance to have their parents come in and participate in such a special day,” teacher Wheeler said. “Today really gives the students a chance to focus on reading and why it is so important.”

Goncalves read in a couple of different classes on Friday.

“I came to volunteer to read for my boys’ classrooms; I enjoy reading myself and I encourage my kids to read because I feel that reading is knowledge,” she said. “Today I brought a book about trucks because my son loves Monster trucks.”

Van Allen Principal Julio Zambrano added it was great to see all the smiles around campus.

“It’s a great day because we have families coming in and they get to read to kids, students really enjoy it, I love it, I have a short selection of books I read from every time,” Zambrano noted. “It’s a pajama day for kids, we have kids working on everything to do with reading today so it really is one of my favorite days out of the whole school year.”

At Dent Elementary, the main event was observed on Friday, March 3 as well.

“We are so happy to welcome back Read Across America Day to our campus. The day serves as a connection to not only the love of reading but also bridges the connection within the community back onto our campus,” explained Principal Anthony Varni. “By welcoming community members and family members back into our classrooms, we get to share the love of reading a favorite kids’ story. These types of interactions make elementary school so unique; there is nothing better than looking into a student’s eyes, TK to fifth grade, and seeing them totally immersed in the imagination and message of a good book. It is one of my favorite celebrations of our school year.”

On the rural campuses, at Collegeville and Farmington, the fun stretched out for a full week.

“Read Across America Week gives our students a bit of additional incentive to pick up a book and read by adding an element of fun and excitement. Guest readers come into classrooms and share their love of reading with students,” said Dr. George Megenney, who serves as principal for both Collegeville and Farmington elementary schools.

The sites had a variety of dress up days throughout the week as well to add to the fun.

“In some instances, older students pair up with younger ones to share special moments and show the younger ones that with a bit of effort they too will be able to develop their reading skills,” Megenney added. “Read Across America Week gives us another opportunity to celebrate all the good things that come with the development of reading skills.”

Reader
Volunteer reader Margie Goncalves was among the guests who spent some time in Van Allen classrooms on Friday, March 3 for Read Across America, here sharing a book about Monster Trucks. Marg Jackson/The Times
Rap
Among the students taking part in the fifth grade rap battle for Read Across America at Van Allen Elementary on March 3 was Nash Northcutt, with teacher Zach Silver assisting. Marg Jackson/The Times