By: Dawn Cranston, Elementary Principal
The National Education Association (NEA) created Read Across America in 1998 as a day set aside to celebrate reading. The NEA chose March 2nd, the birthday of famous children’s author Dr. Suess, as a day for schools to have fun with books and instill a love of reading in students. With so many fun ways to celebrate reading, SBCA has expanded Read Across America into a week-long celebration that will be held on March 1-5 this year. Dress-up days are planned as well as guest readers and special car line visitors.
It is our hope that students will not just enjoy the week but will develop a life long love for reading. I’m excited to have started a D.E.A.R. program. D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything And Read. Whenever I visit a classroom with a good book I’ve chosen to share with students, they drop everything and I read to them.
According to the Department of Education, the more students read or are read to for fun on their own time and at home, the higher their standardized test scores. We encourage parents to set aside some time as a family to enjoy reading. March 1-5 is a great week to turn off the TV and develop a habit of reading and sharing books together as a family.
