Read Across America Week at TRS
Reading is Fundamental, or RIF, is a phrase that many students from the 1990’s or earlier are likely to remember. While RIF is an actual literacy organization established several decades ago, the idea that reading is fundamental to human development transcends time and space. To that end, this week our students joined with countless others across the country to celebrate Read Across America Week 2022.
Read Across America Week was established in 1998 as a yearly program that focuses on reading motivation and celebrates a nation of diverse readers. Mrs. Pe’Quawna Davis, our TRS Academic Interventionist, coordinated this year’s event. For her, one of the best things about this special week is that it “gives students a chance to express themselves creatively through literature.”
Though there are many engaging activities and events all week long, the big celebration is held annually on March 2nd, to coincide with bestselling children’s author Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Though several guest readers graciously joined different classes throughout the week, Dr. Seuss’ birthday party celebration on March 2nd was a real Wacky Wednesday on our campus! (Pun intended, of course.)
We were honored to not only have several members of our school administration team stop by to read to students’ classrooms, but also many members from our community as well. Our special reading guests, Mrs. Rene’ Menogan, Mrs. Tameka Martin, Mrs. Olivia Akins, Mrs. Marnetta McIntyre, Mr. Will Stokes, Mrs. Joya McNeil, and Mrs. Janie Maloney chose their favorite children’s books to read aloud before heading to classrooms where eager listeners awaited their arrival. Even several of our upper grade students got in on the fun by visiting the youngest TRS Lions to read to them.
In addition to these amazing guests, students were delighted that The Cat in The Hat made an appearance as well! Mrs. Ronjanett Taylor wowed us with her Cat in the Hat attire and her array of curated books. Since the very first Read Across America celebration on our campus, Ms. Taylor has made an effort to join us every year. As the Director of America Reads - Mississippi AmeriCorps Program, she states that her hope in participating in these events is that it will help children see reading not as a “chore” but as enjoyable and fun. Ms. Taylor, who has worked in the field for over 20 years, noted that she enjoys reading to the upper grades because “teachers often read to the younger students, but the older students sometimes miss out on this treat.” This year while reading to our 7th graders, she was overjoyed to recognize a student who had been in the class she read to her very first year at TRS.
Students enjoyed a very busy week filled with many literary works, goodie bags, treats, crafts, themed spirit days, and more. Our event coordinator Ms. Davis worked to make this week impactful for our students and bringing in members of our community to help was the icing on the cake, or the Green Eggs and Ham, if you will. “Community Involvement and bringing guest readers into the classroom is a great way to show students that they are loved by our Team at TRS and beyond,” says Ms. Davis.
