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Millstone schools celebrate literacy with week of activities
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer
'You're never too old, too wacky, too wild to pick up a book and read with a child."

JEFF GRANIT staff Millstone Township firefighter Jason Ackerman reads "Green Eggs and Ham" to kindergartners in the Millstone Township Primary School on March 6.

The National Education Association uses this motto to encourage adults and children to read together during Read Across America Day, celebrated each year on March 2, the birthday of the beloved children's author Dr. Seuss. This year, the Millstone Township primary and elementary schools further promoted the development of students' language and emergent literacy skills with a full week of Read Across America activities featuring various community members.

Elementary school students visited and shared their favorite books with primary school students March 3 for "Read to a Friend Day." Teachers and other school staff carried poems in their pockets to share with students on March 4. On March 5, students and staff dressed as their favorite storybook characters and had "Drop Everything and Read" time. First grade students also had the opportunity to read their favorite stories to seven visiting therapy dogs that day. On March 6, the schools promoted literacy with "Word on Your Shirt Day." There were also a number of activities at the schools, including a "Green Eggs and Ham" breakfast at the elementary school, during which students' parents and other relatives were encouraged to read.

JEFF GRANIT staff Top photo: Lt. Alan South, of the Millstone Township Fire Department, reads a book to Millstone Township Primary School students during Read Across America activities on March 6. Bottom photo: Millstone Township Primary School students (l-r) Devon Guadagno, Morgan Townsend, Andrew Albano and Renee Russo listen to a firefighter read a story.

Stephanie Dunk, reading specialist at Millstone Township Primary School, said all of the activities were planned to show students that literacy is fun.

"Those who develop a love for reading as young children continue to read," Dunk said. "As a result, they read to learn and become learners."

Jennifer McPartland, reading specialist at the elementary school, said reading is important because it builds the foundation of every subject area. She said students greatly benefit from seeing parents, teachers and other community members as readers during Read Across America Week activities.

Millstone Township firefighters did their part to help pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students associate reading with pleasure by sharing stories in the classrooms March 6.

Millstone Township Fire Department Lt. Alan South said, "This was a great opportunity for the students to see that we do other things besides firefighting activities."

South read "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" and "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" to Traci Soriano's kindergarten class.

Firefighter Jason Ackerman had a tongue-twisting time reading "Green Eggs and Ham" to Lisa Kennedy's kindergarten class. After getting through pages of "Not in a box, not with a fox, not in house, not with a mouse … ," Ackerman asked the students what the moral of Seuss' story was and Julia Bergen, 5, replied, "Try stuff." Kennedy elaborated on the theme and said, "Don't be afraid to try something new because you don't know, in the end you may like it."

She encouraged her students to try riding a bike without training wheels or to try new foods.

Millstone schools promote reading throughout the entire school year with teachers encouraging students to read in the classroom as well as keep logs of their reading progress at home.

The schools also participate in the Six Flags Great Adventure Six-Hour Reading Club, which rewards students with a free theme park pass for reading outside of the classroom.

Pizza Hut also helps the schools encourage literacy with "Book It," a program that rewards students with free personal pizzas for reading a certain number of books each month depending on their grade levels.

Both the primary and the elementary schools held a book fair for Read Across America Week, during which teachers volunteered to read their favorite stories and help parents select reading level appropriate books for students. Both schools also kicked off reading challenges last week. If elementary school students can

read 3,000 books by June 5, they will win a DJ party. If primary school students can read 5,000 books by that time, they can commission Principal Gina Villani to do something wacky for a day.