Back Row: eighth grader Dean Cardner of Norfolk, eighth grader Heidi Lawrence of Norfolk, eighth grader Sarah Brown of Wrentham, eighth grader Erin Mahoney of Norfolk, eighth grader Ava Meehan of Norfolk, eighth grader Rachel Barrowsof Wrentham, seventh grader Charlie Morris of Norfolk, seventh grader Mikayla Coffey of Wrentham. Front Row; seventh grader Kayleigh Cornell of Wrentham, seventh grader Julia Boviard of Norfolk, seventh grader Grace Lannon of Norfolk, seventh grader Morgan LeBlanc of Norfolk. (Photo courtesy of King Philip Regional School District) 
Dean Cardner reading to third Graders at the Anna Ware Jackson School in Plainville. (Photo courtesy of King Philip Regional School District) 
Morgan LeBlanc reading to second graders at the Anna Ware Jackson School in Plainville. (Photo courtesy of King Philip Regional School District) 
Sarah Brown and Erin Mahoney reading to preschool students at the H. Olive Day School in Norfolk. (Photo courtesy of King Philip Regional School District)
NORFOLK — A Read Across America celebration marked the end of annual book drive at the King Philip Regional Middle School.
This year, nearly 550 books, ranging from picture books to young adult books to many genres of adult books, were collected. The middle school’s Student Council runs the book drive each year, and books are dropped off in the main office or with Whitney Hartwell, a math teacher at the school who has helped the Student Council for the last 16 years.
On Monday, March 2, 12 members (six seventh graders and six eighth graders) of the Student Council rented a bus, traveling to the Anna Ware Jackson School in Plainville and the H. Olive Day School in Norfolk to read to the students, and dropping off the donated books at the Wrentham and Norfolk public libraries.
Students dressed in the spirit of the event as well, wearing navy “Read Across America” shirts and Dr. Seuss inspired hats or headbands.
“I look forward to this event every year and am always blown away by the students who participate,” Hartwell said. “This is a great way for the older students to connect with their young peers and really spark their interest in reading. Thank you to all that donated and to all who hosted us.”
Read Across America Day is an annual reading event that was launched in 1997 by the National Education Association on, or near, March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. The annual reading initiative seeks to motivate students to read, and have fun while doing so. Each year, schools, libraries, municipalities and community groups hold activities on Read Across America Day to celebrate reading.
“Great job by all who participated in this year’s Read Across America event,” Superintendent Zinni said. “Getting students interested in reading is a habit that will benefit them for a lifetime, and celebrations like this are a great way to show students how to have fun while doing so.”
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