If her first-graders finish reading 1,000 book pages in time for the March 2 kickoff of Read Across America, Kelley Welykholowa will dye her hair purple.
"Yes, I will dye my hair purple and wear blue leopard pajamas to school," says the Diamond Valley Elementary School (Markleeville) teacher. Welykholowa, a member of the Alpine County Education Association, says, "Coloring my hair purple was the kids' choice. When I agreed to do it, they just cracked up. My students are very motivated now. By Christmas, they were up to 700 pages, which is a lot of reading for first-graders."
Marisa Landes, a student at Spring Valley School in Millbrae, presents CTA President Wayne Johnson and the Cat in the Hat (Marc Murai) with a platter of green eggs and ham during a photo session with actor Cheech Marin, the honorary chairperson for California's Read Across America celebration (center, below). Marin, who stars in the television show 'Nash Bridges,' has recorded three public service radio spots to promote the reading campaign for CTA. In addition to Landes, who's seated on Marin's lap, are (clockwise from Landes) Bay Area schoolchildren Kevin Jeung, Mathias Jones, the Cat, Resa Jones and David Kirsch.
She has also promised her students a breakfast party with (naturally) green eggs and ham, blue pancakes and multi-colored milk. And to lend an air of adventure to the day, she will bring five kayaks and two tents onto the campus for students to read in.
"I'd like to make it a really cool day," says Welykholowa.
Throughout the nation, lots of activities will be taking place March 2 to celebrate Read Across America, which, in California, continues through May 2.
March 2 commemorates the birthday of the late Dr. Seuss.
In addition to tasting green eggs and ham, students throughout California will be participating in "read-ins" with celebrities and politicians, holding pajama parties, sharing favorite books with fellow students or seniors, and otherwise taking time to embrace the joys of snuggling up with a good book.
Last year, it's estimated that the program reached 1 million children statewide, 20 million nationwide. This year's state goal is to reach 2.1 million children.
Local associations are being encouraged to include Read Across America in their plans to organize activities around the effort to increase school funding. Because reading is so important, Read Across America can be used to highlight efforts in student achievement and the need to bring California per-pupil spending to at least the national average.
CTA is inviting Gov. Gray Davis and legislators to take part in a read-in at the Capitol. The organization is also inviting professional sports teams and firefighters to "team" with schools and kids to read and promote the fun and importance of reading.
Local businesses are being encouraged to form partnerships with teachers to organize events such as breakfasts and guest readers. Partnerships can also include high schools, community colleges and senior groups (with kids reading to seniors and seniors reading to kids). Participating chapters may wish to invite book authors and other guest readers, and devise presentations, activities and contests.
The Newspaper Association of America Foundation's (NAAF) Newspaper in Education Program is sponsoring the "Write What's Right" essay contest with the NEA. NAAF is urging its 750 members to participate, and estimates that at least a third will do so. For more information, visit the Web site [www.nea.org/readacross/teachingtolerance.html].
Sponsors and teachers can order hats, buttons, stickers, posters, bookmarks and balloons or donate books for the school library. For information on ordering Seuss paraphernalia online, visit NEA's Web site [www.nea.org/readacross].
For more information on California observances, schools can contact Pat Rucker at CTA [(650) 552-5403] or visit the CTA Web site [www.cta.org]. Community groups and businesses wishing to participate should contact Sheri Tovar at CTA [(650) 552-5186].
