RUMFORD — Dr. Suess’ birthday falls on March 2, which is also Read Across America Day, Rumford Elementary School Principal Jill Bartash said on Thursday of the events. “(And) the Read to Me Challenge is in the month of February (so) we kind of smash everything all together into one big celebration,” she said.
At the same time, part of the celebration at RES includes having a visiting author and a book fair, which were held March 2 and 3 at the school. Children’s book author Jennifer Jacobson was the visiting author this year. “(Jacobson) is really engaging, she’s talked a lot about the writing process and she’s a former teacher, so her presentations are really appropriate for the kids,” Bartash said.
The students also enjoyed the book fair where they could purchase a wide-range of popular books and some toys. “Usually it’s not a fund raiser for the school but we earn books (from the sales) for our library and classrooms,” she said.
Also included in the festivities is Family Literacy night, held on Thursday night. The night includes the Book Fair for families to enjoy and it’s a time when they can come to listen to the visiting author’s presentation. “(Family Literacy night) is part of Title 1 so it’s federally funded and it’s about bringing the community into school for public experiences and connecting families with reading at home and at school,” Bartash said.
During the month-long state initiative Read to Me Challenge in February several people visited the school and read books to the children. Volunteer readers included rotary club members, parents, community members, former staff members, high-school students, the RSU 10 superintendent and assistant superintendent, she said.
“The community connections, especially here, is really important because we aren’t teaching these kids in a bubble, and they need support from all around to make it work. And so, when we involve the community in positive things like this they come back and they continue to work with us and support us and support our kids and empower the kids,” Bartash said.
Rumford Elementary School Library Media Specialist Eileen Broderick helps kindergarten students Karina Duarte, left, and Alex Therriault with their Book Fair purchases.
Kindergarten teacher Katie Mazza’s class wore Dr. Seuss character t-shirts to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday on Thursday, March 2, which is also Read Across America Day.
Children’s books author Jennifer Jacobson was the visiting author this year at RES’s Read to ME Challenge and Read Across America celebrations held at the school this week.
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