Students "Read Across America" to Honor Dr. Seuss

For many, March 2 was just another Monday. But for literature lovers, students across America and especially Colton Joint Unified School District elementary students, March 2 was a day for reading and celebrating what would have been the 111th birthday of a beloved children's rhyme writer, Dr. Seuss. Designated as "Read Across America Day," The National Education Association uses March 2 as a means to continue its work toward building a nation of readers through the program, now in it's 18th year. A year-round program, Read Across America focuses on motivating children and youth to read through events, partnerships and reading resources. Local CJUSD schools including Paul J. Rogers Elementary School in Colton and at Grand Terrace Elementary School and Terrace View Elementary School in Grand Terrace participated in the nationwide event, with Paul J. Rogers school hosting the event on Friday, Feb. 27, and Terrace View hosting during the morning hours of Monday, March 2. Adult volunteers read to elementary classes in the event to encourage young elementary students to read and help foster a love of reading early on. "Our entire school celebrated Read Across America, honoring Dr. Seuss' birthday, by having a school-wide Stop, Drop and Read," shared Janice Marcano, a fourth grade teacher at Terrace View Elementary School. "Students from kindergarten to sixth grade read with teachers, friends, family and school board members out on the blacktop. It was an exciting community activity that was enjoyed by all." Read Across America Day also celebrates Dr. Seuss - born March 2, 1904 - an American writer and cartoonist most widely known for his popular children's books, which he also illustrated. In his lifetime, he published 46 children's books, including several best-selling works like "Green Eggs and Ham," "The Cat in the Hat," "The Lorax," "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish," "Oh, the Places You'll Go," "Horton Hears a Who," and several more, with many of them spawning numerous film and television adaptations. Dr. Seuss passed away on Sept. 14, 1991. Read Across America Day continues to both honor his legacy and spark an early love of reading in youth across America.