Local Schools Celebrate Read Across America
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The classrooms at Oakley Elementary School were filled with visitors on Friday, who were there taking part in an event which drew community members to the Santa Maria school.
“Today is the culminating day for Read Across America. March 2nd is Dr. Seuss’ birthday and this week we decided to celebrate him and his love of reading and writing,” said Sharon Kuhbander, a teacher at Oakley Elementary School.
To help encourage the importance of reading, nearly 50 community members came to the school to read books to the students. They included Pioneer Valley High School athletes, representatives from the Boys and Girls Club, Santa Maria-Bonita School District, Santa Maria Police Department, Vandenberg Air Force Base, as well as friends and family of school staff.
“It’s a learning experience for us, as well as them,” said Eric Founteneau, a senior at Pioneer Valley High School. “We teach them a story and we then we learn ourselves how to public speak, how to be able to work with others.”
Over the past week, the school held several various reading related events, such as spirit and dress-up days. On Monday, March 2nd, it will celebrate Read Across America Day, an event held across the country on the 111th birthday of the late Theodore Geisel, better known as “Dr. Seuss.”
In addition to Oakley School, other schools in Santa Maria, such as Tunnel and Rice also had guest readers on Friday as well.
“It’s been very positive, both from students and readers and teachers and the kids just have just loved all of these new people that they’ve never seen before,” said Kuhbander.
On Monday, guest readers will also be on various campuses throughout Santa Maria and students at Tunnel will make green eggs and ham.
