“Grab your hat and read with the cat.”
That’s the theme of Read Across America, an annual initiative to encourage the love of reading in children across the nation.
Tuesday, in honor of the March 2 birthday of Dr. Seuss, who is celebrated for his contribution towards the love of reading, adult members of the community volunteered to read to students at West End Elementary and Falls Elementary schools.
On that same day, at the Library of Congress, First Lady Michelle Obama read “The Cat in the Hat” to about 200 elementary students. The book is considered Dr. Seuss’ most popular book, and is translated into 12 different languages, according to Gigie Harder, District 361 librarian.
“We have so many local volunteers for reading during this week every year, that we don’t even have enough classrooms for all of them to do it,” said Harder. There are about 25 elementary-grade classrooms in District 361. Volunteer Julie Bartkowski decided to read at the high school, Harder said, because all of the elementary classes were covered.
Community volunteer readers also included Beth Slatinski, Rachel Amdahl, Sue Karsnia, Diane Adams, Don Rolando, Kevin Grover, Shawna Bolstad, Jerry Hilfer, Luke Nemec, Gary Potter, Bill Mason, Jared Kostiuk, Ardel Henrickson, Andy Fougner, Brian Youso, Tami Dahlquist, Gail Rognerud, Dan Griffith, Mike Musich, Tim Everson, Cynthia Jaksa and Mike Turenne.
The celebration cultivates and encourages the love of reading and is a fun activity, Harder said, adding that the district has been participating over the last decade. Kids were encouraged to wear hats in honor of “The Cat in the Hat.”
Book drive
In connection with the reading promotion, the collection of donated books from the community for the Project Read program is also underway. Project Read is directed by Gail Rasmussen.
The book drive will facilitate the distribution of gently used books for all ages, including adults, to homes in the county needing books. The Falls High School Student Council is working on the project, Harder said.
People who have books in good condition and would like to donate to Project Read can drop them in boxes outside each of the school offices in District 361.
“We’ve already received five huge boxes of books that students have brought from their homes,” Harder said. Others interested in donating books for this endeavor should do so in the near future. Contacts for the project are Rachel Amdahl, advisor for the student council, Rasmussen and Harder.
Book Donations
Gently used books for donation will be accepted in receptacles outside school offices in District 361, for the distribution to people of all ages in the county.
