A parade of readers filled the blacktop at Dunn Elementary School Friday.
Donning the signature red-and-white striped paper hats, just as their favorite feline–The Cat in the Hat–youngsters joined thousands across Rialto Unified School District and the nation to celebrate[restrict userverlevel =”subscriber”] Read Across America Day, set aside to honor the birthday of author, Theodor Seuss Geisel–most commonly known as, Dr. Seuss.
Although the author passed away 23 years ago, his work continues to inspire children and adults alike, especially those at Dunn.
Hundreds of students from grades K-5 took to the playground Friday morning for a parade led by The Cat, Thing 1 and Thing 2, all cheering and clapping as the tune of Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” carried through during the school’s culmination of a week-long Seuss celebration.
Seussical festivities were held each day at Rialto schools and for Dunn, that included crazy hair day, crazy hat day, pajama day, student readers from Eisenhower High School and the grand finale parade and BBQ.
The aim of the celebrations were to engage children in reading activities, said Dr. Frank Gomez II, 4th Grade Teacher & Administrative Designee at Dunn Elementary.
“We want to promote literacy and increase (student) reading to 35 to 45 minutes a day,” he said, about students at Dunn. “We’re trying to build lifelong learners and this is our way to motivate them and encourage
Throughout the week, students were fixated on all-things Seuss as events were held at a number of Rialto schools.
This year’s celebrations kicked-off at Myers Elementary School, where a community-wide effort took place involving families, RUSD officials, local dignitaries, Rialto firefighters and Eisenhower High School students, where they joined to promote literacy.
Rialto High School also joined in the fun by hosting students from Morris, Kelley and Garcia elementary schools, younger students to a day of reading and hands-on activities.[/restrict]
Yazmin Alvarez is a reporter with Inland Empire Community Newspapers and can be reached at email@example.com.