Dr. Seuss Brings Young Newbridge Road Readers Together

With children and adults across the country coming together to celebrate the birthday of renowned writer Dr. Seuss, Newbridge Road Elementary School joined in the festivities. Read Across America was celebrated on March 2 on what would have been the 113th birthday of the author.

Buddy classes got together to share Dr. Seuss stories and participate in other reading and writing activities. Children in Danielle McAllister’s fifth-grade class were joined by students in Lynda Brust’s and Andrea Schmitt’s first-grade class for a reading of “There’s a Wocket in My Pocket.” Students then worked together to make their own book, with each buddy pair creating one page by picking a household location or object and a nonsense word that rhymes, and drawing a picture.

“I want students to develop a love of reading and a love of writing,” said Principal Denise Fisher. “Dr. Seuss opens their eyes to a variety of genres. He’s unique in the sense that he’s able to give children different perspectives in the types of writing, because sometimes he’s serious and sometimes he’s silly.”

Karen Barrins’ second-graders and JoAnn Belferder’s third-graders took a reader’s oath together. Throughout the school, students could be found next to each other on carpets and at desks reading to one another.

Children said the event helped them understand the value of reading, such as fifth-grader Sanjay Persaud who explained that it helps him improve his spelling, vocabulary and punctuation.

“Reading is very important,” said fifth-grader Katie Burke, “because it helps your imagination and it gives you knowledge.”

Photos: North Bellmore School District