Pine Bush Elementary Students enjoy their trip to the high school for reading, snacks and fun

Celebrating Read Across America has become a tradition for most elementary schools. It honors Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, on his birthday, March 2, and promotes literacy. This year, the event was postponed to Friday, March 9, because of a nor’easter.

It’s a special treat for kindergarteners at Pine Bush Elementary. That because each kindergarten class takes a walk over to the Pine Bush High School library for treats, games and reading.

High school librarian Rob Pawson welcomed each class with the help of several volunteers from Leeann Noonan’s Human Development class. Most of the volunteers were appropriately dressed as Dr. Seuss’s most beloved character, the Cat in the Hat!

While one class went into the library pit to have a classic Seuss book read to them – either “The Cat in the Hat” or “Green Eggs and Ham” – the other class went into the library classroom for coloring, games and snacks.

Having one of the bigger kids read the story and another one project it on a large screen, the kindergarteners followed along and answered questions.

“The children love having the high school kids read to them in character,” said Pawson. “And most important, we are motivating children to read and creating lifelong readers.”

In the library classroom, they enjoyed baked goods made by Noonan’s Principles of Baking class – all created with a Dr. Seuss theme – as well as goldfish and some fun games like Green Eggs and Ham tic tac toe.

Then they switched. Four kindergarten classes visited and enjoyed the day, as did their high school buddies.

“We’ve been doing this for about 11 years now,” said Noonan, noting that her classes came up with the ideas for the games and baked goods. “They are very creative about it.”

There were many other celebrations throughout the district. Circleville Elementary School scheduled a different reading event every day for the week. EJ Russell has a March Madness-type bracket with all Dr. Seuss books. The students will decide their favorite by the end of the week as the books go head-to-head in each round. Pakanasink planned to read a number of Dr. Seuss books throughout the week with a different fun fact every day.

Read Across America is an initiative of the American Library Association promoting literacy and student achievement.