Read Across America

Read Across America on March 2nd, is celebrated across schools nationally. As the name reflects, this day celebrates reading in school, with a focus on celebrating and encouraging reading in Elementary schools. It is on March 2nd because that is Dr. Seuss’ birthday, and his legacy as an author primarily known for kids books is also celebrated.

Here at Gateway, we have the incredible opportunity to visit the four sending districts’ elementary schools, read to our assigned classroom, and do activities with the kids. This can help encourage kids to not only look forward to Read Across America Week but look forward to reading in general. Gateway also celebrates Read Across America with a spirit week leading up to the elementary school trip. This year, the days were as the following:

Monday: Cozy up with a good book – Pajama Day
Tuesday: Crazy for reading – Crazy Socks Day
Wednesday: Team up for reading – Wear your favorite team shirt
Thursday: Reading jogs the mind! – Wear workout clothes day!
Friday: Read Across America – Dress as your favorite book character or Gator Gear!

While the Read Across America trip is hosted by Mrs. Buehler and other English teachers, there is an additional event that goes on during this day, hosted by Gateway’s Book Club. This event is the annual Character Costume Contest, where both High School and Middle School students compete for the best character costume! Book Club members are required to participate, while the Book Club Officers are the ones judging the costumes.

This year’s winners were:

Middle School:

Dressed as the Onceler from the Lorax, Abrionna Priolo – First Place
Dressed as the Lorax from the Lorax, Allyson Bryso – Second Place
Dressed as Pipsqueak from the Lorax, Shana Fulner – Third Place

High School:
Dressed as Amicus from Adastra, Jack Patrick – First Place
Dressed as Daphne Bridgerton from The Duke & I, Raygen Bennett – Second Place
Dressed as Olive and the Mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Nate Martinez and Alondra Vargas-Guarin – Third Place

There was also a staff prize, and that was Awarded to Ms. Powell!

We look forward to this special week at Gateway every year and love to see both students and teachers eagerly participate! If you want a chance to win a prize next year for your efforts or simply want to celebrate literature, start planning your costume now!