LEWISTON — Wearing bright Maineiac hockey jerseys, Jakub Bundil and Todd Chinova took a seat as 46 kindergartners closed in around them at Montello Elementary School on Tuesday.

Holding the Dr. Seuss book, “Oh the Places You’ll Go,’” the Maineiac players were there as guest readers. Jakub told students he’s from the eastern European country of Slovakia. His English “might not be the greatest,” he admitted. But Todd, who is from Connecticut is “American, so he can help me,” Jakub said.

Speaking in an accent reminiscent of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jakub started reading: “You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in the direction you choose…”

After reading a page or two, he showed the book’s pictures to his floor audience.
“Can I see?” was their refrain.

He passed the book to Todd, who took his turn reading. “You’ll look up and down streets. Look them over with care. About some you’ll say, ‘I don’t choose to go there…’” After a few pages Todd showed a picture of a dragon.
“Can I see?” from the floor.

The picture showing prompted discussion about dragons, camels and anything that popped into the heads of 5- and 6-year-olds. “I saw you at the Maineiacs game,” little Jeramyah Lessard said to Todd.

The players took turns reading and hosting conversation until finally they came to the end of the book.
They hockey forwards may not have known it, but their visit was timely.

January is the month when kindergarten students start reading. The first half of the year they’re getting ready to read, but in January “they’re reading books with whole sentences now,” said teacher Melissa Trider. “It’s pretty exciting.” After the story, it was time for answers and questions, kindergarten style.

Teachers Cyndi Polisky instructed students not to raise their hands unless they had a question, to think of a question before raising their hand. And, she lectured, make sure they are are asking a question. “Don’t tell them a story.”
It didn’t exactly work out that way.

One boy raised his hand, was called on, but the boy seemed to be tongue tied. After a few seconds, he said: “Oh yeah. Your team, he got the hat,” pointing to Todd, referring to a hat trick score during a game.

Another student raised her hand. She told them they were great players.

Raising hands while having a question formed is a skill kindergartners are developing, said teacher Trider. “They raise their hands because they like to participate. They’re so excited they haven’t formed the question in their head.” And they’re learning the difference between a question and statement.

One student asked what team they play for. Jakub said he plays for the Maineiacs of Lewiston.
“I play hockey and live in Lewiston too,” one boy said.
Another asked if they wanted to be hockey players when they were little.

That prompted big smiles and two emphatic “yes” answers.
After signing pictures, Todd and Jakub said goodbye.
The students will remember the day, their teacher said. “It’s very important for kids to see important members of the community come and read to them, and show them reading is important,” Trider said.

This is the fifth year of the team’s “Lewy’s Read to Succeed” program where players visit schools to read to students. “It’s a good way for the guys to show to the kids that it’s important,” said Garrett Mason, the team’s director of media relations.

The players make 12 school visits a year. Dates for this year are filled, but schools may contact the team for next year, Mason said.
[email protected]