Business professionals, politicians, deputies, firefighters, college coaches, football players, students and more flooded elementary schools throughout the East Baton Rouge Parish School System Wednesday, March 2, to read to students as part of Read Across America Day.  The day also is known for Dr. Seuss’ birthday. 

Celebrations in public schools ranged from dining on green eggs and ham and birthday cake to dressing up like the Cat in the Hat or favorite book characters to reading and listening to stories written by Dr. Seuss.  Sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA) annually, Read Across America Day is a reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading.  Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school, according to the NEA.

At Winbourne Elementary School, reading guests included School Board members, District Attorney Hillar Moore, media personalities, community leaders and more.  Prior to a special musical performance for reading volunteers by students, chorus members (first photo, left to right) Sean Mccants, Jerrin Spencer and Eric Dorsey adjusted and straightened their stovepipe hats, which were similar to the one the Cat in the Hat wears in his book.

A dramatic reading of “Green Eggs and Ham” was performed by (second photo, left to right) Principal Mark Richterman and drama teacher J.P. Delahoussaye during an in-school taping for student TV station, WBRC, at the Baton Rouge Center for the Visual & Performing Arts.  Students also enjoyed eating green eggs and ham and wearing red-striped hats during story times.

Buchanan Elementary School students dressed up like their favorite book characters and listened to Dr. Seuss stories read by volunteers, who included School System Superintendent John Dilworth, state troopers, Baton Rouge Fire Chief Ed Smith and coaches, professors and athletes from Louisiana State University.  Teacher April Skipper-Washington’s second graders were in costume, including students (third photo, left to right) Qingyu Zhang, Analise Thibodaux, Harrison Owens, Adrienne Simmons (in hat), Dillon Rutledge and Jason Parks, when they surrounded Dilworth (back center) following his reading time with the class.