Prominent Guests Help Irvington Students Spread Kindness

IRVINGTON, NY — Students at Dows Lane Elementary School and Main Street School welcomed prominent members of the community as guest readers during the annual World Read Aloud Day, held at each school Feb. 1. With a book in hand, each guest greeted the students, discussed what it means to be kind and read a story from a beloved book.

With the common theme of this year’s World Read Aloud Day being kindness, the guests were encouraged to read “What Does It Mean To Be Kind?” by Rana DiOrio to kindergarten through third-graders, and “Each Kindness” by Jacquelin Woodson to fourth- and fifth-graders.

Among the readers were State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, journalist and television host Meredith Vieira, Westchester County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky, Irvington Police Chief Michael Cerone, Westchester County Assistant District Attorney Susan Brownbill-Vega, as well as authors and writers.

Board of Education President Michael Hanna, Vice President Brian Freidman, BOE Trustee David Graeber, Trustee Maura Gedid, Trustee Beth Propper, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kristopher Harrison, Irvington Middle School Principal David Sottile, Irvington High School Principal David Cohen, former Irvington High School Principal Scott Mosenthal and Irvington Education Foundation Co-President Meredith Keltz also read books to the students.

“The book fostered important discussions with our guest readers and also fostered opportunities for students to share their experiences across classrooms during recess, in hallways and on the bus,” Main Street School Principal Joyce Chapnick said. “A special thank-you to our amazing guest readers for joining us on this day.”

Dows Lane Elementary School Principal Deb Mariniello said there was a guest reader in every kindergarten through fifth-grade classroom during the day.

“To witness the entire building engaged in the love of literature through Read Aloud Day, to feel the energy of our readers, students and staff, and to spread the important message of kindness in each classroom, today and every day, was magical,” Mariniello said.

Chapnick said the students joined millions of readers around the world to raise awareness about the importance of access to literacy as a human right that belongs to everyone. The event also celebrated the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories.

The event was sponsored by the PTSA Legislative Strategic Advisory Committee, while the worldwide event was spearheaded by the international literacy nonprofit LitWorld International Inc.

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Photo caption: Journalist and television host Meredith Vieira read a book to students at Dows Lane Elementary School during the annual World Read Aloud Day on Feb. 1. Photo credit: Irvington Union Free School District.