Buried in books

Several people not named Sam still have a taste for green eggs and ham.At least that was the indication last Friday, when students and staff at Sheridan Elementary School crowded the cafeteria to partake in the meal introduced to the world by Dr. Seuss.The event served as the kickoff for Read Across America week, which is being celebrated across the Western Placer Unified School District in varying fashions.But regardless of the activity or its location, the emphasis is on taking the time to enjoy reading's rewards."I happen to think that literacy is the most important thing that we can give to a citizen," said Brian Haley, a WPUSD trustee and the dean of the library/learning resource center at Sierra College. "I don't know how you can get along not knowing how to read."Neither, for that matter, does Eloina Castillo, a Sheridan first-grader who had her head buried deeply in a copy of "Fox in Socks" as her class enjoyed some silent reading."You can learn a lot much more when you read," she said, adding that the Seuss classic in her hands was a favorite because "you can understand it."Her classmate, Leslie Vite, added that she gets particularly excited about books with animals as she pored through "Bunnies ABC."Read Across America was originally celebrated as a one-day event marking the March 2 birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, the author of more than 40 children's books. Under the leadership of the National Education Association and Dr. Seuss Enterprises, it has blossomed into a week dedicated to reading.More than 50 national sponsors participated in the 2006 edition of the big party, which often features celebrities pitching in to encourage children and adults alike to read. Oftentimes, the week is divided into theme days based on a certain Dr. Seuss book.Year after year, Read Across America focuses on the same fundamental message: Kids who read and are read to do better in school and in life.That's something Mary Boyle, the WPUSD's assistant superintendent for educational resources, is banking on."I think it is important to set aside a week for this activity," she said. "Children like to have things with themes and to have special focus on particular ideas. It makes it fun, and we want to have fun with reading. It makes it cool."Boyle added that she's pleased with the job local teachers are doing in regards to integrating reading into classroom activities and raising standardized-test scores in the subject area."But we can always do better," she added. "Tuesday, we had an inservice after school to support our reading program and we had 60 teachers in attendance. They were really excited about digging into the materials."The district's future goals regarding reading revolve around consistency from school to school and across grade levels, according to Boyle.That's not an issue this week, with nearly every school in the district doing something to indicate they're on board with the NEA's program.At Twelve Bridges Elementary School, Seuss' "If I Ran the Zoo" served as the inspiration of a special library program, while students at Foskett Ranch Elementary School moved from Camp Seuss and PJ Day on Monday to Whooville Hair Day and Fox in Socks Day on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.Carlin C. Coppin welcomed guest readers from the Lincoln High School leadership class on Tuesday, which was also dubbed Cat in the Hat Day.At Twelve Bridges Middle School, sixth-graders were poised to take part in either a read-in or a jazzed about books program.Creekside Oaks Elementary School enjoyed its annual milk and cookies night last Thursday.But at least one local booster of the literary arts called for even more involvement."The whole town should stop and read," said Shirley Russell, president of the Friends of the Lincoln Library.Russell added that space limitations at the Carnegie Library in Downtown limit what her group can do to buoy Read Across America. That's one of the many reasons why she's looking forward to the completion of the new building in Twelve Bridges so "there will be room to have a presentation."