“Read Across America” was celebrated at John P. Faber Elementary School the entire week of February 28-March 3, 2017.
The event is held at schools across the country to remind students about the importance of reading. It was originally created by the National Education Association twenty years ago to coincide with children’s author Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel’s birthday on March 2. The week-long Faber program was coordinated by Beth Willoughby, the school’s media specialist.
Students had many guest readers throughout the week including Dunellen High School administrators, retired teachers, Somerset Patriots’ mascot Sparkee and media relations/broadcasting manager Marc Schwartz, representatives from the NJ Devils, Dunellen Fire Department members, and other community figures. On Friday, March 3, students were visited by Mayor Robert Seader, Director of the Board of Chosen Freeholders Ronald G. Rios, Freeholder Kenneth Armwood, Borough Clerk William Robins and Dunellen Board of Education member Faith Thompson.
According to Willoughby, “All of the guest readers remind students how important reading is and how this is a skill they will use for their entire life. I cannot thank the guest readers enough for coming in and reminding the students of this and sharing their joy of reading with them.”
In addition to the guest readers, the event involved additional activities. Thursday night was Faber’s annual family reading night. First-grade students performed a play and afterward, attendees were invited to the media center to participate in fun activities about reading.
The students and staff also participated in a spirit week. Each day students and staff were encouraged to dress in differently themed outfits based on various books written by Dr. Seuss and the joy of reading. On Monday, they celebrated “The Sleep Book” by dressing in pajamas or comfortable clothes. On Tuesday, they wore green in honor of “Green Eggs and Ham.” On Wednesday, they celebrated Wacky Wednesday by dressing in mismatched or inside out outfits. On Thursday, students and staff dressed as their favorite book characters and on Friday, they celebrated “Fox in Socks” by wearing crazy or mismatched socks.