MANNHEIM, Germany - Can you think of a better way to celebrate the words and world of Dr. Seuss, than by sitting down to read a good book'
How about over seven hundred people sitting down to read a good book ... If you were in Mannheim at Mannheim Elementary School March 2, to celebrate "Read Across America," than you were there to share in the reading fun.
"Read Across America" is a recognized celebration of reading, where all books, particularly those whimsical tales by Dr. Seuss, take center stage.
On March 2, the birthday of Theodore Geisel, 'Dr. Seuss', reading across Mannheim Elementary School was the job for the day.
Like schools around DODEA and schools across the United States, favorite stories such as 'One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish', 'Horton Hears a Hoo', 'Hop on Pop', and 'There's a Wocket in my Pocket', were shared with students.
Community members were encouraged to join in the festivities and provide snapshots into the magical universe of reading, by coming to read dressed as characters children know and love.
Guest readers included Lt. Col. Elizabeth Ryan Griffin, Mannheim garrison commander, and garrison command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Alberto Delgado, soldiers from the 95th Military Police Battalion and the 72nd Expeditionary Battalion along with parents, siblings and family members from Ben Franklin Village.
Leading into the event, staff and students were encouraged to dress up as their favorite storybook character.
Teacher Deb Dolan, came in as the kooky and lovable maid "Amelia Bedeila," 4th grade student, Noah Buss, surprised everyone with his version of Dr. Seuss' character "Little Sally."
Student Council representatives provided door-to-door Reader's Theatre with their adaptations of 'The Cat in the Hat' and 'Green Eggs and Ham'.
Heidelberg District Office guest readers Challice Rickard, Diane Yoesting, and Aleisha Dumas thrilled second graders in Bessie Rollins' room with their readings of 'Ten Apples up on Top' and 'To think that I saw that on Mulberry Street'.
"It was a day focused on children, with their 100 percent participation, as teachers, community, and students promoted the joy found in reading," Rickard said.
The best part of the day was the moment when a voice came over the intercom and invited the Mannheim Elementary students, teachers, staff, and guests to "Drop Everything And Read" at 10:15 a.m.
D.E.A.R. is an integral part of the day in any school, but in Mannheim March 2, D.E.A.R. was as exciting to see as a visit from the naughty "Cat" himself.
Some came with blankets, some in full costumes, some with more than one good book, but everyone came to the main hallway where classes paired up, sat down, and read together for 30 minutes.
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