Kindergartners in Danielle Bonn’s class take part in Wacky Wednesday during the Bournedale Elementary School Spirit Week, which runs along with Read Across America Week. (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools) 
Kindergartners in Doreen Whalen-O’Shea’s class take part in DEAR (“Drop Everything and Read”) time as part of Read Across America Week. (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools) 
First graders in Tammy Kelley’s class take part in hat day during Spirit Week. (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools) 
Teacher Lisa Grobleski reads to students during DEAR (“Drop Everything and Read”) time as part of Read Across America Week. (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools) 
Second grader Katherine Chick dressed up for hat day as part of Spirit Week at BES. (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools)
BOURNE — Superintendent Kerri Anne Quinlan-Zhou and Principal Liz Carpenito are pleased to announce that Bournedale Elementary School is participating in Read Across America week this week.
The National Education Association’s “Read Across America” program is an annual reading motivation and awareness campaign that calls for children to celebrate reading. Schools, libraries and communities across the country recognize a weeklong celebration centered around March 2 (corresponding with Dr. Seuss’ birthday), with other programming throughout the year.
The theme of Read Across America’s 2022 campaign is “Create and Celebrate a Nation of Diverse Readers.”
Bournedale Elementary School is hosting five days of activities to celebrate the week, and is also holding Spirit Week events for students and staff in the school. The two weeks are typically held concurrently at the school to show students how fun reading can be.
The week was organized in part by Elementary Curriculum Director Lisa Dix and Academic Interventionist Nicole Hawkins.
A rundown of the week’s events includes:
- Monday: DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time for students. Spirit Week activity was mismatched “Fox in Sox” day.
- Tuesday: Book commercials during lunches. Spirit Week activity was top hat Tuesday.
- Wednesday: Wacky Ticket Wednesday. Students who demonstrate expected behaviors will receive a wacky ticket, which count as double the regular tickets for students who display the district’s B2B attributes (Respectful, Responsible and Safe) on the bus, in the cafeteria and at recess. Spirit Week activity is wacky Wednesday.
- Thursday: Book commercials during lunches. For Spirit Week, students will dress as their favorite Dr. Seuss character.
- Friday: Snuggle up with a book and PJs. Spirit Week activity is pajama day.
Also on Friday, the school will be welcoming guest readers from the community in the morning to read to classes. The school has arranged for members of the Bourne School Committee, Fire Department and Police Department to be readers, as well as members of the Bourne Public Schools administration.
In addition to in-school activities, BES will be hosting family night activities centered around Dr. Seuss’s books such as “The Cat in the Hat,” “Green Eggs and Ham,” “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” “The Lorax” and “Bartholomew and the Oobleck.”
“Read Across America week is a great way to celebrate literacy and instill a love of reading among our students,” Principal Carpenito said. “The Bourne Public Schools places a tremendous emphasis on providing access to reading across all grade levels, and this week reminds students that reading can also be a fun and engaging activity that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.”
For more information on Read Across America, visit the National Education Association’s website here.
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