The following is an edited press release from the Fair Haven School District:
Even a cranky Grinch would have been smiling at the Fair Haven School District’s birthday celebration for beloved author Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss.
The extravaganza at Sickles School kicked off on March 2 – Suess’ birthday and Read Across America Day — with what was dubbed a Birthday Celebration assembly.
Kindergarten-through-third grade students, attired in red and white in honor of the Seuss character The Cat in the Hat, listened as faculty members — onstage but hidden by the curtain — acted as mystery readers.
When challenged to guess the teachers’ identities, the students succeeded “100 percent.” The entire assembly then took part in a rendition of “Happy Birthday to You.”
Guest readers from the community, such as Fair Haven Parks and Recreation Director D.J. Breckenridge and Fair Haven Police Officer Eric Patton, visited classrooms to share Dr. Seuss books. Kevin Davis, principal of the fourth-through-eighth grade Knollwood School, was one of the guest readers who read a few of his favorites to third graders.
Knollwood’s World Language teachers also read Dr. Seuss books aloud to students in Spanish and French.
Additional Seuss events at Sickles School from March 2 to 6 included:
• Wear a Crazy Hat Day with the theme of “Hats Off to a Good Book”;
• Mismatch Day, with students and teachers wearing mismatched items in tribute to the book Wacky Wednesday;
• a door decorating contest with a Dr. Seuss theme, which awarded each class a special recognition;
• Books Alive, during which students and staff dressed as a favorite literary character;
• Oh the Places You’ll Go, a day-long event featuring a rotation of learning environments built around different themes by grade level, including “Imagination,” “Friendship,” “Helping the Environment,” and “Goals and Ambitions”;
• the creation at Sickles School of a “Books Will Build You Up” music video entitled Books Will Build You Up, featuring students and staff celebrating the joys of reading. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdMGBgbs4VQ
A Dr. Seuss-themed school-wide assembly ended the week.
Sickles School Principal Cheryl Cuddihy expressed appreciation for the enthusiasm demonstrated throughout the week dedicated to a celebration of literacy.
“Our students were buzzing with excitement as they participated in our different themes for each day, and they leapt out of their cars on ‘Books Alive’ day to admire one another’s costumes and connect the characters to literacy,” said Cuddihy. “Teachers collaborated with parents and with one another to create center-based learning environments for Oh the Places You’ll Go, giving students the opportunity to express their understanding through games, crafts, dancing, singing, and of course reading.
“I am so grateful to our school’s literacy team – Colleen Doogan, Kerry Leahey, and June Sustick – for initiating this project, and also for the enthusiastic response from students, staff, and families.”
Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904 in Springfield, MA and died on Sept. 24, 1991 in San Diego, California.
A writer and cartoonist, he was best known for his children’s books which he authored and illustrated under the pseudonym Dr. Seuss.