Schools: March 2010 Archives

POMONA - Mendoza Elementary School students celebrated the joy of reading Friday (Feb. 26) with slightly early Read Across America day activities.

The campus, which has 500 students in grades pre-kindergarten to third, celebrates Read Across America day the last Friday in February rather than March 2, the birth date of children's author Theodor Geisel, better known by his pen name, Dr. Seuss.

The early celebration allows the school to pull out all the stops.

"We do an all-day literacy extravaganza," said Principal Alicia McMullin.

Friday (Feb. 26) children came to school in pajamas and could bring their favorite stuffed animal or blanket all in preparation to cozy up and listen to visitors who read to them.

Guests consisted of a diverse group that included Mendoza alumni - fourth, fifth and sixth graders from Lopez Elementary School. Among the adults were Pomona Unified School District officials, Pomona Police officers, Los Angeles County firefighters and former major league baseball players.

Outfielders Kenny Landreaux and Jay Johnstone, both of whom spent parts of their careers with the Dodgers and the Angels, were among the guests, McMullin said.

A group of extra special guests that included "The Cat in the Hat," school mascot Goldie the Eagle, and several other Dr. Seuss characters dropped in on a morning assembly where individual students and entire classes where recognized for their reading accomplishments.

The event, which teachers, staff and community members begin preparing for in the fall, has grown every year since it began five years ago, McMullin said.

But no matter how big the event gets at the heart of it all is nurturing a love of reading in students.

"It's about showing them it's not just teachers who read," McMullin said. "It's about reading for enjoyment."

Such activities also show children reading is the key to a successful future.

"We know if you can read you open up the door to so many possibilities," she said. For students with strong reading skill "nothing is beyond their reach."