In observance of Dr. Seuss’s birthday, schools across the country celebrated Read Across America with a variety of programs in early March.

For students on the Dent Elementary campus in Escalon, it meant a day full of guest readers, special activities, getting to wear pajamas to school and having plenty of time to enjoy reading.

Schools throughout the Escalon Unified School District observed the Read Across America program. Traditionally, it is observed on the birthday of children’s author Theodor Seuss Geisel, Dr. Seuss, on March 2 but schools also often schedule events throughout an entire school week.

In Dent’s case, the culmination was the number of guest readers coming in to read to classes throughout the day on Friday, March 6.

First grade teacher Dannla Savath at Dent said her first graders were all enjoying the day.

“We love it, it has been a great opportunity to have parents or family members come to read, we’ve had siblings of the kids come to read along with parents, mom and dad, so it’s been wonderful,” Savath shared. “The kids love it, in between we do little movement breaks, which has helped them.”

With the students able to also wear pajamas to school if they chose, it is a much more laid-back day, with time for independent reading and settling in with floor pillows to get comfortable while turning the pages.

Reading, noted the teacher, is something that can’t be stressed enough.

“Reading is really, really important because it allows them to be really imaginative, they’re able to picture what they’re reading so the words come to life,” Savath explained. “I think it’s a great thing that they can have someone to come read to them or learn to read themselves.”

In Michelle Fitzgerald’s first grade class, longtime Dent teacher, now retired, Cassie Gregory was back and sharing her favorite book with students. She told them she got to meet the author and that was inspiring to her. She also brought along a photo she had of herself posing with the author to share with the class.

Kindergarten teacher Jamie Bingham welcomed guest reader Ryan Flores to her class late Friday morning; he has a son in the class and delighted the students with a book about the search for a dog to adopt from a shelter – a search that led to a variety of different animals, just not a dog.

Like Savath, Bingham said Read Across America is a special time on campus.

“Students love meetings their friends’ parents and love having their parents come be a part of their day,” Bingham said. “And they’re engaged in every story.”

Escalon city officials, first responders, businesspeople, family and friends, there was time for everyone to share a book, whether they brought their own or chose one available at the school.

And with thousands of pages turned during the day, Read Across America was definitely a success.