Read Across America Day is held each year on March 2 because it is Dr. Seuss’ birthday. This year, Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School (ARCAES) invited prominent members of the community to visit the school and read to students. Each reader was paired with a classroom to read a favorite Dr. Seuss or children’s book. The professionals also shared information about their careers and answered students’ questions.
Guests included local artists Tate Nation, Lulie Wallace, Julia Deckman, Kate Hooray Osmond, Kate Waddell, and Chris Edington. The musical director of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Rob Taylor, visited and read to a second grade classroom. Local authors Bret Lott and Anthony Varallo read Dr. Seuss books and discussed creative writing with students. Marybeth Clark from Charleston Stage read The Lorax to a fifth grade class. Brantley Moody from Charleston County Council visited, along with Charleston City councilmen Dean Riegel and Peter Shahid Jr. Charleston Fire Department Assistant Fire Marshal lSteve Mantie read to students and spoke about fire safety with a first grade class. Terri Nichols, John E. Cobb, and Jennifer Swearingen from Charleston County School District read to students as well.
At the beginning of the day-long celebration, kindergartners paraded through the hallways, dressed as their favorite children’s book character. Teachers and students from every grade dressed up, too.
