Books and pajamas were pretty much the order of the day on Friday, March 8 on the Dent Elementary campus in Escalon, as the school observed Read Across America in honor of the birthday of Dr. Seuss.
All campuses throughout the Escalon Unified School District marked the day with reading and a variety of activities, with a major focus on the elementary sites from Van Allen to Collegeville, Farmington to Dent.
For students at Dent, Friday wrapped up a week of fun events corresponding to the reading theme. The ‘Literacy Spirit Week’ featured Hats Off to Dr. Seuss on Monday, March 4 featuring The Cat in the Hat book; All Out Green Day on March 5 focusing on Green Eggs & Ham; Wacky Hair Day on March 6 featuring the book Wacky Wednesday; and Camouflage/Animal Print Day to go along with the book Put Me in the Zoo on March 7. The Sleep Book was featured for Friday’s Pajama Day observance.
Several volunteer readers also came in to the Dent classrooms on Friday to share their favorite books with the students.
Among them was “Gramma Laura” – also known as Laura Harker – who spent time in a couple of classrooms sharing stories.
“I love to read to the kids; I always thought I didn’t like to read and then I found out I didn’t like to read and then I found out I didn’t like to read books I had to read but I liked to read books, that I choose, so that’s why I enjoy reading and I want them to enjoy reading,” Harker explained.
She said the kindergarten class she read to – which included her granddaughter Adalynn Kjellberg – was a “wonderful” audience; it was the second classroom she visited during the day.
And she has read to all five of her grandchildren and their classmates through the Rad Across America program over the years. She started when her oldest grandchild – now a junior at Escalon High – attended Dent.
Elsewhere on campus, some of the guest readers included Escalon Police Department officers, community residents, local business people and more. In some classrooms, the teachers also took a turn reading.
Volunteer readers could bring their own books to share with students or choose from one of many provided at Dent.
Long an early March staple, Read Across America highlights the works of Theodor Seuss Geisel –Dr. Seuss – and gives students and adults the chance to enjoy reading together.
