Delaware County Council Takes Part in National Read Across America Day
Released: March 3, 2023
Dr. Seuss’ March 2 Birthday Marks Annual Day Dedicated to Reading
This week, Delaware County Council helped celebrate National Read Across America Day by visiting the students at Bywood Elementary School in the Upper Darby School District and Darby Township Elementary School in the Southeast Delco School District.
National Read Across America Day, established by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998 and annually celebrated on March 2, the birthday of the beloved children’s book author Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss), is a day for students, teachers, parents, and community members around the nation to come together to read books and celebrate the joy of reading.
As part of the festivities, schools throughout Delaware County and across the nation invited guest speakers from their communities to read to students from books that students can see themselves reflected in, as well as books that allow students to see into a world or a character that might be different than them.
Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor joined Bywood Elementary Principal Kristin Meehan and students in the 2nd grade students to read “The Cool Bean” by Jory John and illustrated Pete Oswald, a story of how generosity and kindness are true qualities to champion over one’s outward appearance, offering a great example for young readers to address the challenging dynamics of ever-changing relationships.
Delaware County Councilman Richard Womack was invited by Principal John Austerberry and Vice Principal Camile Jackson to join Ms. Kristman’s 5th grade class to read Kathryn Otoshi’s “One”, a powerful story that uses colors to show how children can stand up to confront bullying and accept each other's differences—and how it sometimes just takes one voice to make everyone count!
As part of Read Across America, the NEA invites readers to take the NEA’s Read Across America Diverse Books Challenge and share stories with kids of all ages that are as diverse and complex as the world we live in. When people make the time to read with children, they get the message that reading is important.
VOLUNTEER TO READ TO STUDENTS GO READ TO KIDS!
Be a fresh voice in a classroom, library, or after-school program as a guest reader.
FIND YOUR BOOKS
Choose from monthly recommendations in the Read Across America digital calendar or search all book lists at www.nea.org/readacross.
DO IT EVERY MONTH (OR WEEK OR DAY)
Make a reading connection wherever you go. Read aloud and spark discussion with students of all ages or do activities related to the books you share. NEA has discussion questions and activity suggestions to help you get started.
SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Tell all your friends and followers on social media about your reading adventures! #ReadAcrossAmerica #NEADiverseBookChallenge
CHALLENGE SOMEONE ELSE!
Encourage others to read aloud to kids and introduce students to a wide range of stories that reflect all kinds of perspectives and experiences.
For more information about Read Across American Day, visit the NEA’s website at www.nea.org.
For information about the NEA’s Diverse Book Challenge, go to www.nea.org/diverse-books-challenge.
Delaware County residents are also invited to check out the Delaware County Libraries website at www.delcolibraries.org.
