Event organizer Connie Glasier, library aide, has been putting this program together for many years and said it is something the whole school looks forward to every year.

“Members from all walks of life in the community – police officers, firefighters, former teachers, businessmen and friends — all come to read. The students love having somebody from outside, somebody new, come to read to them.”

Danielle Russell, building principal, Wilmary Millan – Outreach Liaison and Linda Stolinski greeted the guests as they arrived. After gathering in the library, classroom ambassadors escorted the readers to their classrooms. The nine classrooms (grades kindergarten to two) were divided into small groups with readers for each group.

Several readers commented on how excited the students were to listen to them not only read a story or two, but to explain to them why reading is so important and how it has helped them in their lives. Mayor Kate Wdowiasz and Dunkirk Schools Superintendent Mr. Michael Mansfield, were among some of the new readers.

Former educators, teachers and members of the business community read to students at School 5 last month.

Thing 1 and Thing 2 thank-you gifts, created by Wilma Hernandez, were given to each guest. Dr. Seuss themed refreshments were served in the cafeteria following the classroom visits.

Each day that week students and staff dressed up with a different theme from the Dr. Seuss books. The hallways were decorated with Dr. Seuss posters. One favorite wall featured all the students’ pictures on Thing 1 and Thing 2 characters from the book, “The Cat in the Hat.”