Dr. Seuss epitomizes a love of children and learning. For decades, his imaginative and inspired rhymes have been a valuable tool for teaching young children the basic skills they need to be successful.
The Hoboken school district participated Tuesday in the National Education Association’s Read Across America program. Dr. Seuss’ creation, a costumed Cat in the Hat, joined Mayor David Roberts, teachers, parents and Board of Education members at the Wallace Primary School to kick off its local Read Across America festivities.
Fourth grade teacher Maureen Kecmer and first grade teacher Veronica O’Cello turned the Hoboken Board of Education’s meeting room at 1115 Clinton St. into "The Cat-in-the-Hat bistro." The room was decorated with colorful tablecloths, ribbons and bows, balloons and Dr. Seuss posters. Cookies, cake and juice were served to the students.
At the event, fourth graders were paired with first graders, and they read together.
The events are part of an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child to celebrate reading. The culmination falls on Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March 2, but because that day fell on a Sunday, the Wallace School decided to hold activities on Tuesday, March 4.
"Reading can take you so many places," said Roberts to the group of attentive students. "Just by picking up a book you can travel across the world, or be whisked off to far away imaginary land; become a prince or a king or even just learn how to become a good person."
The mayor spent the morning reading several Dr. Seuss selections to Ms. O’Cello’s students, most of whom donned the familiar red and white striped hat made famous by the mischievous Cat in the Hat.
According to event’s organizers, NEA’s Read Across America is the biggest one-day literacy celebration in the U.S., if not the world. On March 2, 2002, there were reading events in all 50 states, as well as several foreign countries, that annually attract nearly 40 million readers of all ages.
NEA’s Read Across America celebrates its sixth anniversary this year.
Wallace School principal Charles Tortorella said Tuesday that engendering a love for reading at a young age is imperative to success later in life.
"Reading is the key," he said, "and I really have to give credit to all of our teachers for making reading an important part of our students’ lives and education."
According to Tortorella, providing children with motivation to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating successful, lifelong readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school.
"If one child walks out of here wanting to read, then this is an overwhelming success," said Kecmer. "It’s really our goal to instill a life love of reading within our students."
Hoboken Board of Education member Theresa Burns, who was at the event, said Dr. Seuss is the perfect introduction to reading. "Kids need to know that books are fun," she said," and Dr. Seuss is great outlet for imagination and teaches that it is a happy experience to read."