On Thursday, Caitlin Hanson, a fourth-grader who normally gets
in trouble for reading during class, had the opportunity to read
all the Harry Potter she wanted all day.
On Thursday, Caitlin Hanson, a fourth-grader who normally gets in trouble for reading during class, had the opportunity to read all the Harry Potter she wanted all day.
Hanson joined with elementary school students and community members in San Benito County who are taking part in the national Read Across America celebration Thursday and today.
Hollister School District is joining the nationwide celebration by devoting nearly the entire school day to reading. Each school invited community members to come in and read to the students either Thursday or today and encouraged children to bring in their favorite books from home.
“I love (Read Across America day) because books make me feel like I can go anywhere in the world,” said Benito Tijerina, a fourth grader at Gabilan Hills School, which celebrated the event Thursday. Tijerina said he planned on reading Calvin and Hobbes books, which are his favorite because of Calvin’s active imagination.
The annual event was started by the National Education Association 10 years ago as an effort to promote literacy and encourage adults to read to children.
Read Across America is celebrated in conjunction with Dr. Seuss’ birthday, and many schools turn it into a pajama day – with students bringing in their blankets and favorite stuffed animals as well. Students of all ages are fans of Dr. Seuss, the well-known children’s book author, and his colorful stories with their creative use of words and rhymes.
“I like to read all the Dr. Seuss books,” said kindergartner Ivan Beniter, who added that two of his favorites are “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and “Green Eggs and Ham.”
His teacher, Dana Young, added that the students made red-and-white striped “Cat-in-the-Hat” hats for the occasion.
In Martha Selsor’s kindergarten classroom at Gabilan Hills, the students sat cross-legged in pajamas plastered with images of SpongeBob SquarePants and other cartoon characters. Many students were wrapped in blankets as they listened intently to librarian Cindy Brown – dressed as the Cat in the Hat – read aloud.
In addition to the staff members, Gabilan Hills had more than 40 volunteers come in and read to the students. Volunteers were members of the community and included local physicians and Iraq War veterans, as well as members of the school board and administration and parents.
“It’s important for kids to see people from all walks of life reading. I think sometimes students think only educators read, so it’s good to see other professionals,” Brown said. “Reading is so important in our lives. We can live without certain skills, but reading isn’t one of them.”
Will Tijerina, who has two sons at Gabilan Hills, said this is his fourth year taking part in the event.
“I love it,” said Tijerina, who was wearing the iconic striped Dr. Seuss hat for the occasion. “You can never have too much activity as far as reading and opening up their mind to a whole new world.”
Students from older grades came and read to the younger children as well. Carmen Chavez, a third-grader at Gabilan Hills, read a book in Spanish to her brother’s kindergarten class.
“Reading is my favorite thing to do,” said Chavez, who explained that reading to her brother’s class was her idea because she already reads aloud to him at home.
Dana Young, who teaches the class, said her students really enjoy the reading celebration, and having other people come in to read to the classroom.
“It’s a great way to get them excited about reading,” Young said.
Ladd Lane Elementary is celebrating Read Across America today. Lesli Reyes, one of the vice principals at the school, said she expects the celebration to be especially big this year because it marks the 50th anniversary of the release of “The Cat in the Hat.”
The school had each grade level create a goal of how many pages they would read today. The school’s student ended up with a total goal of reading 36,730 pages.
“We want to continue Dr. Seuss’ tradition of really working against and fighting against illiteracy,” said Reyes.
Alice Joy covers education for the Free Lance. You can reach her at (831) 637-5566 ext. 336 or at aj**@fr***********.com.
