MANCHESTER – Dr. Seuss’s 120th birthday was observed on March 2 making this week the perfect time for the Township School District to kick-off its annual Read Across America initiative.
Celebrations were held at each of the district’s three elementary schools.
Students of the Whiting Elementary School (WES) observed Read Across America every day leading up to a special guest reader event. Students were treated to a StarBooks Book Tasting. The staff transformed their school library into a student “coffee lounge” thanks to donations of cups and sleeves from the new Starbucks location in Whiting.
Their teachers, the StarBooks baristas, served students their StarBooks drink order (of donated juice, lemonade, or water) while students took a “taste” of the different types of books and topics available in their school library
Titles and topics such as sports, animals, inventions, mysteries, and even some lesser-known Dr. Seuss titles were explored during this book tasting. Students rated their book choices, shared conversations over their books and beverages, and swapped books with friends. They even left with a StarBooks gift cup to remember their unique experience.
Later in the week, preschool students at Whiting Elementary “exploded” green eggs and ham. During a safe science experiment, students poured white vinegar over baking soda and colored food dye inside plastic eggs. This variation on the volcano science project was very popular with the kids.
Manchester Township Elementary School held a family game night during the week. The evening featured Books for Bingo. Students and their families came together to play games, meet with the Ocean County Library staff, and spend special time together over books.
Ridgeway Elementary School also hosted a fun family book gathering during the week. Students and families joined staff at Barnes & Noble for special read-aloud, games, prizes, and more.
To conclude the week of fun, special guest readers visited classrooms throughout the day across all three elementary schools to share their love of reading. Teachers thanked all of the volunteers who gave their time to come in to classrooms to read.
The children were treated to readers who are family members of the students, Board of Education members, law enforcement partners, school principals, school administration including Interim Superintendent Diane Pedroza, and many others.
