Thursday, March 2, would have been the 96th birthday of author Theodor Geisel. Who, you might ask? Horton the Elephant would definitely know. The floppy-eared pachyderm who hears Whos from time to time, was created by the author. As was the Cat in the Hat. And Sam I Am. By now, you must have figured out that the honoree was none other than the late Dr. Seuss, whose litany of children’s books and characters have been a staple in homes and classrooms all across the country and the world for decades. Practically everyone alive has grown up with a Dr. Seuss book. Roosevelt School teacher Brian Calligy particularly loved “Green Eggs and Ham” as a youngster. Webster School kindergarten teacher Dorothy Helwig loves “Horton Hatches an Egg” because a very familiar town is mentioned in the book. Yes, Weehawken. “I read that one to my class all the time,” Helwig said. “I guess Dr. Seuss just liked the word Weehawken.” “Whenever the kids hear, ‘Weehawken,’ they do a little chest pounding,” Calligy said. “They’re proud that Dr. Seuss used their home in one of his passages.” In honor of the legendary author who died in 1991, classrooms all across the country took time away from their regular class schedule to participate in the annual “Read Across America” program, observing Dr. Seuss’ birthday by having adults read his stories aloud to students in their respective classrooms. Both of Weehawken’s grade schools participated in the program. At Webster School, which the students from pre-kindergarten through third grade attend, the students enjoyed cupcakes, courtesy of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association, while singing “Happy Birthday” to Dr. Seuss in the hallways. “I thought it was excellent,” Helwig said. “We had the students from seventh grade AT (academically talented) come and read to the kids. Everyone had a great time. The kids made hats and sang. They really had a lot of fun.” Although this was a chance for dignitaries like Mayor Richard Turner and Superintendent of Schools Kevin McLellan to read to the youngsters, Helwig said that approximately two-thirds of her students could read “The Cat in the Hat” themselves. “I always have a ball reading to the kids,” said Turner, who made appearances at both Webster and Roosevelt schools. “It’s a blast. The kids love it and it’s a wonderful day.” At Roosevelt School, it was also a fun time, although the students are a little older and more sophisticated. “Read Across America” still represented a chance to have an impromptu slumber party, complete with pajamas, pillows, blankets and bedtime stories, courtesy of the adults and Dr. Seuss. “Dr. Seuss makes for a very pleasurable reading experience,” Calligy said. “We had people from all walks of life reading in our classrooms, from the mayor and superintendent, to police officers, firefighters, all walks of life.” Last year, the featured guest for the day was Academy Award winning actress Susan Sarandon. No such luck this time. New York Jets quarterback Ray Lucas was scheduled to attend, but had another function to go to at the last minute. Still, local jazz saxophonist Baron Raymonde appeared, played “Happy Birthday,” on the sax to the good doctor, then performed a special piece that he composed for the occasion. “Dr. Seuss brings such happy memories to the students,” Calligy said. “And to everyone.” Calligy said that such an event reiterates the importance of reading to children. “It’s extremely important,” Calligy said. “Reading is cross-curricular. It’s vital. You need it in every facet of your life. Even with computer technology and what have you, you still need to read to answer e-mail or surf the Internet. There are a lot of fun things to do with reading.” Turner agreed. “Reading has to be stressed to the youngsters at an early age,” Turner said. “It’s helping children develop their minds.” Turner cited the latest reports released by the state’s Department of Education that showed that, on the average, Weehawken’s students had better Scholastic Aptitude Test scores in 1999 – the third highest average per student in the county, behind McNair Academic and Hudson County Hi-Tech. Calligy said that Dr. Seuss’ stories make it easier to get kids interested in reading. “And there’s no one better to encourage reading than Dr. Seuss,” Calligy said. “He had that special gift to relate to children. The readers enjoyed being with the students and the students enjoyed the day. It really was special.”
Weehawken students participate in ‘Read Across America,’ honoring famed children’s author Dr. Seuss
