Danbury School Celebrates ‘Read Across America’ Day

Danbury school celebrates ‘Read Across America’ Day

Classroom doors decorated to honor Dr. Seuss

Reading is the key to learning, but it is also a lifelong activity that’s fun, said Shelter Rock Elementary School Principal Julia Horne. She works hard to spread her love of reading with her students, and the results speak for themselves.

On March 2, ‘Read Across America’ Day and Dr. Seuss’s birthday, students at the school unveiled their decorated classroom doors and Horne had the difficult task of choosing winners. The students were excited about their colorful doors and excited to explain which Dr. Seuss book they represented. Mrs. DiResto’s class took first place with its “A person’s a person, no matter how small” theme; Ms. Petrucelli’s class came in second place with the “Lorax”; and Ms. Walker’s class came in third. But Horne made it clear that they were all winners.

“I felt everybody tied for first. Even the nurse’s office, the cafeteria, the secretary’s office and the custodians all decorated their doors. It’s a community here,” Horne said.

The National Education Association is dedicated to building a nation of readers through its signature program, Read Across America. Now in its 18th year, this year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships and reading resources.

On March 2, Horne said the 506 children at her school devoted 20 minutes in the morning to quiet reading. Some of the younger children were read to by their teachers; older students read on their own in the classrooms. The children each received a Dr. Seuss pencil for their participation.

Shelter Rock was recognized this year as one of 30 schools in the state to qualify as a “success story” by the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now (ConnCAN). Shelter Rock was recognized, among other things, for its academic progress, contributions to the community and 100 percent parent participation in attendance at parent-teacher conferences. More than 70 percent of the students at the school are English Language Learners (ELLs) and the school has implemented strategies to successfully close the gap. This success, in part, is due to the importance Horne places on reading and that includes holding family literacy nights for students and their families.

“We stress the importance of reading,” Horne said. “Reading should not be a chore.”