The bulletin board contest was competitive, but Amelia Taylor tied for first place with her Dr. Seuss ‘train’ that had a railroad car for each of her students.
Pam Dudding-Burch
Students at McCleary Elementary seemed to come alive during the week of February 28 through March 2 as they celebrated the birthday of the all too popular Dr. Seuss.
The National Education Association (NEA) Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading that takes place annually on March 2 through Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens and books.
“It is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that encourages every child in our community to celebrate reading,” shared Donna Deplazes, a math teacher and coordinator of this year’s event.
McCleary Elementary teachers and staff did a lot to help the students enjoy the annual event. Walls, bulletin boards and classroom doors were all decorated with the theme of Dr. Seuss and the many books written by the author.
Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts and published his first children’s book, And to Think that I Saw It on Mulberry Street, under the name of Dr. Seuss in 1937. Little did he know that his next books would become all-time best sellers. Kids and adults all over the USA can quote many of their pages.
Dr. Seuss is most famous for his children’s books “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham.” He continued to write and publish more than 60 books before passing away.
Every day brought a new adventure during ‘Dress Up Week’ as the Craig County Education Association helped to organize activities throughout the week. “Each day there was a different emphasis on a character,” Wheeler said.
Monday was “Mustache Day” in honor of The Lorax, Tuesday was “Twins Day” in honor of the Twins, Wednesday was “Crazy Socks Day” for the Fox in the Socks, Thursday was “Dress As Your Favorite Book or Character Day” and Friday was “Crazy Hat Day” in honor of The Cat in the Hat.
“Each student wore their outfits and hats proud and were eager to share why they chose it,” teachers shared. The teachers and staff seemed to enjoy dressing up a little as well.
“We had 12 BETA club members read Dr. Seuss’s books to MCleary students during Read Across America week,” Deplazes shared. “Two students read to students per grade. All classes were included; kindergarten – Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! First I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!, second – Gerald McBoing-Boing, third – McElligot’s Pool, fourth -Thidwick The Big-Hearted Moose and fifth -The Butter Battle Book.
Librarian Karen Jones shared that the BETA readers did a “phenomenal” job interacting and reading to the students. “The BETA members took turns reading and ‘acting out’ their respective books to make it a fun activity,” Jones said. “They even answered questions about their books and Dr. Seuss afterwards.” All of the books were chosen by Jones for the appropriate grade level.
Also, on Thursday, March 2, the cafeteria served green eggs and ham for breakfast and birthday cake at lunch. A combination of excitement and turned up noses were the responses to the green eggs. “That doesn’t look right,” one younger student said as she pushed the egg aside.
Also, to add to Seuss’s birthday week, a quote from Dr. Seuss was read every day for announcements in the middle and high school.
*Monday- “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not,” – Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
*Tuesday-“To the world you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world.”
*Wednesday- “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go.”
*Thursday-“Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!” You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go! Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
*Friday-“Be who you are, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” –
The CCEA also sponsored a bulletin board contest at McCleary and the teachers did excellent jobs with their creativity and imagination through the eyes of Dr. Seuss. The winners received gift cards. First place winners were Susan Wilcher and Amelia Taylor, who received $25 gift cards and second place were Sierra Frazier and Marie Summers, with $15 gift cards.
“McCleary teachers are quite amazing and I pass the credit for keeping students minds busy on to them!” Gennifer Miller, Principal exclaimed. Teachers and staff agreed that “this week is a fun week for the students as they seem to look forward to every day.”
