Oxford celebrates Read Across America Day
OXFORD – On Monday, Dr. Seuss’ birthday, 34 community adults were invited to the Oxford Academy Primary School to read to children for Read Across America Day. In an effort to help promote reading and literacy, this event is sponsored annually by the National Education Association (NEA) and various corporations. The Cat in the Hat was there, with several Things One and Two. The kids had fun to spare, with plenty to see and do.
The high school auditorium seats were filled with young students while the stage was filled from one end to the other with visiting Village trustees, clergy, teachers, superintendents, several members of the Cornell Cooperative Extension, a writer, and many more interesting guests. All of these adults were invited to bring a favorite children’s book to read in an assigned classroom.
These guests were: Randy Squier, Christine Pierce, Katie Hansen, Tim McDonald, Gene Rood, Mark Roach, Mary Branham, John Godfrey, Marion Godfrey, Angela Arxidiacano, Pat Marks, Phyllis Ives, Val Kozak, Gray Stevens, Jeanne Marshman, Gerry LeClar, Father Ward, Maria Santacrose, Matt Voce, Laura Begeal, Roger Monaco, Joan Leonard, Heather Ferrarese, Jeanie Petersen, Danielle Williamson, Tracy Chawgo, Cheryl Polhamus, Liz Loughren, Cheryl Gager, Cindy Gardiner, Carol Loefstedt, Chris Dolgos, Betty Clark and Elizabeth Kager.
Primary school teacher, Holly Abbott, was the star of the show, dressed as the infamous Cat in the Hat. She was accompanied by three sets of twins, all in costumes as “Thing Ones” and “Thing Twos!” The “Things” were Kendra and Kelsey Reynolds, Allison and Bradley Beckwith and Nick and Paige Cirello.
The beloved Cat spoke to each guest reader, introducing them by name and asking why reading was important to their professions.
Among the lighthearted responses, Carol Loefstedt, from the Cornell Cooperative Extension said that she couldn’t plant a seed without being able to read the directions; Joan Leonard from the NBT Bank said that she doesn’t just look at the numbers - she has a lot to read; and Danielle Williamson of Hoppie’s Ice Cream Parlor said that she couldn’t make an ice cream sundae if she couldn’t read the menu! The Cat in the Hat led everyone in a rhyme about reading and its importance, thanked all the guests for their time, and then all the adult readers were led to specific classrooms.
One guest reader was (yours truly), Jeanie Petersen who read to Shannon Barrows’ Pre-K class. With an oversized press pass in the brim of a felt fedora, Jeanie read two books that had been favorites of her children when they were little. They were the ever amusing, “Underwear” by Mary Elise Monsell and “Zach’s Alligator” by Shirley Mozelle.
All the volunteer readers received a colorful “Hats off to You!” card signed by the Cat in the Hat.
The high school auditorium seats were filled with young students while the stage was filled from one end to the other with visiting Village trustees, clergy, teachers, superintendents, several members of the Cornell Cooperative Extension, a writer, and many more interesting guests. All of these adults were invited to bring a favorite children’s book to read in an assigned classroom.
These guests were: Randy Squier, Christine Pierce, Katie Hansen, Tim McDonald, Gene Rood, Mark Roach, Mary Branham, John Godfrey, Marion Godfrey, Angela Arxidiacano, Pat Marks, Phyllis Ives, Val Kozak, Gray Stevens, Jeanne Marshman, Gerry LeClar, Father Ward, Maria Santacrose, Matt Voce, Laura Begeal, Roger Monaco, Joan Leonard, Heather Ferrarese, Jeanie Petersen, Danielle Williamson, Tracy Chawgo, Cheryl Polhamus, Liz Loughren, Cheryl Gager, Cindy Gardiner, Carol Loefstedt, Chris Dolgos, Betty Clark and Elizabeth Kager.
Primary school teacher, Holly Abbott, was the star of the show, dressed as the infamous Cat in the Hat. She was accompanied by three sets of twins, all in costumes as “Thing Ones” and “Thing Twos!” The “Things” were Kendra and Kelsey Reynolds, Allison and Bradley Beckwith and Nick and Paige Cirello.
The beloved Cat spoke to each guest reader, introducing them by name and asking why reading was important to their professions.
Among the lighthearted responses, Carol Loefstedt, from the Cornell Cooperative Extension said that she couldn’t plant a seed without being able to read the directions; Joan Leonard from the NBT Bank said that she doesn’t just look at the numbers - she has a lot to read; and Danielle Williamson of Hoppie’s Ice Cream Parlor said that she couldn’t make an ice cream sundae if she couldn’t read the menu! The Cat in the Hat led everyone in a rhyme about reading and its importance, thanked all the guests for their time, and then all the adult readers were led to specific classrooms.
One guest reader was (yours truly), Jeanie Petersen who read to Shannon Barrows’ Pre-K class. With an oversized press pass in the brim of a felt fedora, Jeanie read two books that had been favorites of her children when they were little. They were the ever amusing, “Underwear” by Mary Elise Monsell and “Zach’s Alligator” by Shirley Mozelle.
All the volunteer readers received a colorful “Hats off to You!” card signed by the Cat in the Hat.
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