MTA Today - Winter 2015

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W hen it comes to preparing for Read Across America Day, Stacey Klimkosky starts early and sticks to tradition.

The media specialist at Truro
Central School has been coordinating
the day dedicated to reading for about

10 years. This year, Read Across America Day will be held on March 2.

Klimkosky says staff members
at the preK-grade 6 school have tried
different Dr. Seuss-themed events
over the years, “but there are a few
traditions that are tried and true.”
As early preparation for the special
day, Klimkosky sponsors a book fair
each September during Truro Treasures,
an annual town fair. With the money
made at the fair, Klimkosky buys
books.

On the day that the school
celebrates Read Across America
Day with its 128 students, she said,
“We start with a ‘Green Eggs and
Ham’ breakfast.” School chef Warren
Klimkosky said, so “there is always
some kind of Seuss-related display
for the students to look at — such as
really green eggs, ham and fixings.”
The Truro Education and
Enrichment Alliance, a parents’
group, sponsors a free breakfast at
the school that is open to any student.
Younger siblings not yet old enough
to attend school are also invited,
and the Truro Education Association
sponsors breakfast for any adult who
chooses to join in.

As the children eat, Klimkosky said, the children’s librarian at the Truro Public Library “comes and dresses as our Cat in the Hat, reading to students.” In the past, students have also been greeted at the bus by Seuss characters Thing 1 and Thing 2.

The idea for Read Across America was hatched at the National Education Association in 1997. The NEA chose the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel — known the world over as Dr. Seuss — as the date on which to center events.

The day, which is marked with events across the state and the country, focuses attention on how important it is to motivate children to read in addition to helping them master basic skills.

At Truro Central School, the celebration continues after breakfast with students, faculty and staff donning “all kinds of fun hats,” Klimkosky said.

“Some of the hats are handmade
and theme-based,” she added. “Many
of the teachers really get into this
tradition.”
At lunch, the cafeteria workers
serve up a “Seuss-tacular” lunch.
“The entrée, sides and dessert are all
taken from a Seuss book or character,”
Klimkosky said.

Finally, all of the students at the school are given the gift of a brand new book, chosen just for them, from the profits made at the fair in September.

Suggestions, resources and reading lists are available on the NEA website, www.nea.org, under “Grants and Events.” The site features a downloadable poster; the Read Across America song, oath and poem; and a link to the Dr. Seuss “Cat-a-log,” where educators can buy red-and-white-striped hats as well as other items. The Read Across America Facebook fan page, www.facebook.com/ neareadacrossamerica, offers educators more stories and ideas on how the day can spark a love of reading.

Spanish teacher Alison Waldo, left, and media specialist Stacey Klimkosky used “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” as their headgear theme for last year’s Read Across America Day festivities.