Fifty-four 4 and 5-year-old children were invited to Shawnee for this unique reading event.
On Monday, Feb. 27, Shawnee High School students celebrated the birthday of Dr. Seuss by participating in the nationwide Read Across America program. Sponsored by the National Education Association, the mission of this program is to promote reading at an early age with the hope that reading becomes a life-long activity.
Fifty-four 4 and 5-year-old children from the Small World and the United Methodist Church preschools in Medford were invited to Shawnee for this unique reading event.
The pre-schoolers were greeted at the door by Emma Smith dressed up as The Cat in the Hat, and Gabby Vacanti and Ashley Wetzel as Thing 1 and Thing 2. After an opening address by Principal Matt Campbell, the pre-schoolers were treated to a special reading of Dr. Seuss’s Fox in Socks by Lenape Regional High School District Board member David Stow.
The Shawnee Girl’s Ensemble performed the Read Across America song, complete with hand motions, as well as other children’s songs where everyone was encouraged to sing-along. The pre-schoolers then broke into smaller groups where they heard stories and participated in story-related games and crafts.
The Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Future Educators of America (FEA) and Child Development class acted as group guides and readers of selected children’s books. Each child left with a gift bag that included an age-appropriate book. This is the eighteenth year Shawnee students have participated in this reading event. The gift bags were graciously provided by the Lenape District Education Association.
