County's schools celebrate Read Across America

“Never budge! That’s my rule. Never budge in the least!

Not an inch to the west! Not an inch to the east!

I’ll stay here, not budging! I can and I will

If it makes you and me and the whole world stand still!”

In the Dr. Seuss book, the Zax were stubborn creatures. Nevertheless, the world did grow and the highway was built right over the two Zax as they refused to budge. Now, east to west, north to south, schools across the nation celebrate Dr. Seuss on or around his March 2 birthday each year. From Hope Elementary to the east and Idaho Hill Elementary to the west, Bonner County is no exception as the schools participated in Read Across America Day last week, promoting literacy among local youth with fun-filled reading events.

“We celebrate Read Across America every year,” said Idaho Hill Principal Susie Luckey during Friday morning’s “Breakfast, Books and Buddies” event at the school, which she said they started a couple years ago. “It’s about promoting literacy in all aspects, the love of literacy and the love of good books.”

The kids had a choice of dressing up in Dr. Seuss fashion, as their favorite book character, or crazy hair for “Breakfast, Books and Buddies.” There were Cats in Hats, a Cindy Lou Who or two, as well as a Minion and lots of crazy haired kids among others.

Throughout the week leading up to Read Across America Day, Luckey said they raffled off books, and every Idaho Hill student got a free book from Barnes and Noble on Friday, courtesy of a grant from the Community Assistance League in Sandpoint. Also throughout the week, the school had “mystery readers” come in — community members and older students — who signed up to bring their favorite stories to read to the students.

The Priest River Community Foundation’s literacy team got the community involved as well, asking local businesses to dress up and decorate from their favorite Dr. Seuss stories. PRCF funded $1,000 for new books, so participants were given “free book certificates” to give out to students who stopped by their businesses on Friday. The kids can take their certificates to the Priest River or Blanchard library branches through March 16 to select a new book. Priest River Ace Hardware, Mama Mac’s Deli-Cafe, Columbia Bank, Rusty Rooster and Priest River Cleaners participated.

On the other side of the county, Hope Elementary held its annual Family Reading Night on Thursday, with Dr. Seuss themed games and activities. Local youth and their families enjoyed a Thing 1 and Thing 2 relay, a “Cat in the Hat” book walk, a map game based on “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” as well as several other activities. There was also a cookie stacking activity which involved a bit of strategy, said Hope Principal Sherri Hatley. This year, there were several different types of cookies so they didn’t stack “neatly” one on top of the other, she said. It required more balance and finesse — a higher level of planning.

Hatley said one goal of the event is to connect reading with other subjects as to be cross-curricular, so some of the activities focus on geography, science or writing.

“So it’s about how you use the information from reading to be able to learn about other subjects or places,” Hatley said.

In the days leading up to the school-wide Title I and Partners in Education event, Hatley said a packet is sent home with students for their families to do some creative writing — “Seuss style, of course.” The kids then return the completed packet during the family night to earn free books, Dr. Seuss pencils and other items.

In addition to the goal of getting kids more excited about reading across subject areas, the event offers an opportunity for students to see their families supporting what they are learning and their school. Families experienced the fun of learning alongside their children, saw how they could make reading fun by implementing it into everyday life, had an opportunity to give feedback and share ideas with administration and staff, as well as develop a relationship with other families in the community. Parents are encouraged to complete a survey at the end of the night, Hatley said, and from the results of last year’s survey, they did make a few adjustments.

This year’s event saw a total of 173 people come through the doors of Hope Elementary, as well as 34 volunteers, including Hope staff, Clark Fork Junior/Senior High School students, Hope school’s sixth-grade leaders and community members who don’t have children at the school. While families helped set up ahead of time, Hatley said, the volunteers run the activities so the parents could enjoy the event with their kids. Hatley said families were invited from the local preschool at the Hope Memorial Community Center as well.

“The bottom line — it’s really about celebrating reading and learning through reading in a super fun and engaging manner,” Hatley said.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.