The James McDivitt Elementary School in Old Bridge was selected from a raffle to have the New Jersey Education Association’s Cat in the Hat visit the school on Feb. 26. The school hosted an assembly featuring the Cat, which kicked off the reading contest. Above: Ryen Miller gives the Cat a hug before leaving the assembly. PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Students at three elementary schools in Old Bridge have been hitting the books to mark what would be the 109th birthday of prolific author Theodor Seuss Geisel, known and loved worldwide as Dr. Seuss.
The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) commemorated the whimsical author’s birthday with its 15th annual Read Across America week from March 1 to 8.
According to the NJEA, Read Across America is an annual celebration that promotes reading and literacy through reading fairs, assemblies and other literacy-related events.
All participants were invited to pay tribute to Dr. Seuss by proudly wearing the iconic red-and-white stovepipe hat, the symbol of his signature character, the Cat in the Hat. The James McDivitt Elementary School on Manny Martin Way was selected from a raffle to have the Cat in the Hat visit the school on Feb. 26 as part of the program.
“I have to say the children were absolutely thrilled. We were so happy because we’ve asked for the Cat in the Hat for so many years in a row, and this year we got lucky,” said McDivitt Principal Anne Coletti, explaining that the school was one of five chosen in a raffle to win a visit from the costumed character.
Coletti said McDivitt students have been participating in cross-age reading, where students from different grades read to each other to celebrate Read Across America Week.
Students at M. Scott Carpenter Elementary School on Par Avenue participated in two Dr. Seuss programs on Feb. 28 to mark the literary celebration. During school hours, students were visited by the Old Bridge High School football team, which read, danced and played with kindergarten, first and second grade students.
That evening, students returned to school in their pajamas from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Several guest speakers, including teachers, administrators, supervisors and Township Mayor Owen Henry, read to students who also participated in arts and crafts classes.
“I read a book to [first and second grade] kids,” said the mayor. “I’ve been doing it for six or seven years now, ever since I was on the Board of [Education]. I’m a big proponent of reading.”
Carpenter Principal Christopher McCue told Greater Media Newspapers, “The kids love it, it’s great. We have something everyday [for the remainder of the week].”
If students can log a combined 500,000 hours, or about 20 minutes per student every school night, of reading by May 24, McCue said he would allow students to turn him into a giant ice cream sundae.
“It’s a good way to give the kids incentive to read,” he said. “Kids are coming in [to school] all excited, saying, ‘I read 10 books this weekend!’”
Culminating the weeklong literacy event, Cheesequake Elementary School on Route 34 will host Cheesequake’s Heroes Green Eggs and Ham event on March 8.
Regional heroes, including police lieutenants from Old Bridge and Edison as well as a firefighter from the New York City Fire Department and a nurse from John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, will all come together to read and inspire children at the school.
Contact Tom Castles at [email protected].
The James McDivitt Elementary School in Old Bridge was selected from a raffle to have the New Jersey Education Association’s Cat in the Hat visit the school on Feb. 26. The school hosted an assembly featuring the Cat, which kicked off the reading contest. PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff