Hood Avenue Hosts Celebrity Reader Day Event in Honor of National Read Across America Day

Hood Avenue Primary School held it’s annual "Celebrity Reader Day" on Monday, March 3, 2008 as part of the Read Across America Celebration that honors the birthday of Dr. Seuss. The students and faculty got a special treat when twenty-two members of the community came in to read for two 20 minute sessions to each classroom. Our Celebrity Readers included local leaders such as Dr. John DeCotis, Fayette County school superintendent, business leaders from Wal-Mart, Publix, Staples, and Piedmont Fayette Hospital, retired educators, public service professionals, and librarians. The day was filled with fun activities and reading including a surprise visit from the Cat in the Hat.

Our Celebrity Reader Day event, now in its third decade, is designed to encourage community involvement in education, foster a love a reading among students, and expose students to local role models who enjoy reading. This year’s guests encouraged students to read daily and challenged students to work hard and seize every opportunity to learn. According to the National Institute for Literacy, “reading aloud to children has been called the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for success in reading, and success in school starts with reading.” “We want all our students to be successful in school and life”, says Dr. Kiawana Kennedy, Principal. “Our Celebrity Reader Day event is one way we demonstrate our commitment to and understanding of the importance of reading education.”