RUMFORD — The Rumford Elementary School will celebrate Read Across America Day on Monday, March 3, by having community members read to children.

“Every year, we try to get different readers to visit and read to the children,” Librarian Eileen Broderick said. “I know that the Rumford fire chief has visited before and read to the children. The assistant superintendent usually makes a visit. We also get a lot of community volunteers each year. This year, we’re actually getting the head custodian, who doesn’t normally read to the students, to read some stories.”

Broderick said the school will host a series of reading challenges throughout the day, with the winning student receiving prizes, including tickets to a Portland Sea Dogs game. The celebration will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Read Across America Day, also known as Dr. Seuss’ Day, was created 17 years ago by the National Education Association and is usually held March 2 to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Schools, libraries and community centers across the country celebrate by having children focus on reading activities.

“I’ve been here for 18 years, and we’ve participated in this every year I’ve been here,” Broderick said. “The kids really seem to like it, and we always have a lot of participation from the community. We spread different activities throughout the school and try to promote reading to the kids.”

mdaigle@sunjournal.com

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