Elementary School Students Celebrate Reading, Birthday of Dr. Seuss

Elementary school students celebrated their love of reading and the birthday of beloved children's book author Dr. Seuss during the Mehlville district-wide Read Across America event held at on Friday, March 4. The event featured free books, special guest storytellers, attendance prizes and several crafts stations.

According to the National Education Association (NEA) website, the Read Across American program, started in 1998, aims to “build a nation of readers” by “motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources.” The program's reading celebration takes place nationally “each year on or near March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss.”

Members of the Mehlville NEA and retired educators sponsored the event, providing attendance prizes, organizational support, and volunteered their time to assist. The NEA also procured assistance from National Honors Society students at Washington and Buerkle Middle Schools. The Honors Society students helped kids make foam picture frames, tissue paper flowers, and Dr. Seuss-themed bookmarks. There was also a station where kids could get their picture taken with Cat in the Hat. Additionally, students from Oakville Senior High's TREND (Turning Resources & Energy in New Directions) volunteered their time at the face painting station.

Eighth grade Buerkle students Sara Kirkley and Kelli Carter were eager to assist in any way they could, helping at the bookmark and flower-making stations.

“I like helping little kids...we'd like to teach them that reading is important,” Carter said.

Ross Bullington, assistant principal of Buerkle Middle School, served as the evening's MC. His enthusiastic attitude for children's reading programs lent excitement to the evening, as he announced the attendance prize winners and encouraged everyone to visit the storytelling room, where volunteers read from their favorite books.

Dr. Eric Knost, Mehlville superintendent, was the first storyteller of the evening. He delighted the audience with his favorite book, The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss. The event's other featured storytellers were Dr. Jeffrey Sindeler, DDS, from Oakville Dental Care, and Tom Diehl, president of the Mehlville Board of Education.

Mirela Hodzic brought her daughter, Forder student Cynthia Hodzic and son Aidin to the event.

“My daughter just loves Dr. Seuss – they are the only books she will read. We're here because she was just so excited to come and see everything,” Hodzic said.

The copious amount of balloons floating in the air, which were given to each participant, and the noisy gym and cafeteria signified the fulfillment of the Read Across America mission to encourage young readers.

“This event is meant for little kids to get excited about reading and for the parents to take time to read to them. This is the age when you instill a love of reading—and that lasts a lifetime,” Bullington said.