Mount Prospect School Celebrates "Read Across America"

Mount Prospect School celebrated Dr. Seuss and Read Across America Day on Friday, February 26th with two special guests: children’s author Dan Gutman and the Cat in the Hat! The Mount Prospect PTO, school administrators, and teachers worked together to plan this annual literacy-event filled day. The PTO sponsored children’s author Dan Gutman to visit the school during the day. Mrs. Moss and Mrs. Olivo, chaired the PTO Wizards of Words committee and coordinated the author’s visit. Dan Gutman gave motivating presentations about his books and experiences with writing to all grade levels and worked with some lucky raffle-winning students on writing techniques. Throughout the day, students also viewed reader’s theatre presentations performed by the school’s reading specialists, had special guest readers in their classrooms and visits from the Cat in the Hat!

In the Family Reading Night program, families and their children entered a world of imagination by rotating among four literacy stations. Students participated in a book swap (coordinated by first grade teachers Debbie Reynolds and Peggy Greaney) exchanging a used book for another book. They listened to teachers read stories aloud in their classrooms, met the famous Cat in the Hat, and enjoyed a snack in the Reading Cafe after choosing from a menu of books to read with their families. Students volunteered as hosts and hostesses in the Reading Cafe. The PTO also donated books for raffle give-a-ways during the evening program. Mrs. Harmon, a PTO volunteer and parent, assisted in coordinating Family Reading Night with school administrators and teachers. Local vendors donated food and drinks for the staff. These local vendors include M & M Perrotti’s, Stop and Shop in Basking Ridge, Shoprite of Bernardsville, The Fresh Market, Kings and Starbucks.

Students and families look forward to hearing the magic stories bring to their lives at next year’s literacy day event!