By Marcia Sydney-Reed
Special to the GVN
The 186th Street Elementary School students, staff, and parents enjoyed a Reading Pajama Party to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday on Friday, March 4 with a reading celebration and a Magic Show.
By Marcia Sydney-Reed
Special to the GVN
The 186th Street Elementary School students, staff, and parents enjoyed a Reading Pajama Party to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday on Friday, March 4 with a reading celebration and a Magic Show.
Returning to read and promote literacy, by popular demand, were our NFL football moms from the Western Region of the Professional Football Players Mothers Association (PFPMA). Gayle Jackson, the mother of Washington Redskins star DeSean Jackson, LaTonya Scandrick, the mother of Orlando Scandrick from the Dallas Cowboys, and Kimberly Mallory, the mother of Stefan Johnson, Former NFL player and USC Great, came for the fifth year to read to the little owls.
Students were able to enjoy a choice of stories read by teachers and the NFL moms in different rooms with themes to promote a college-going culture at the beginning of the event. The students heard fairytales in the USC Trojans’ Arena, animal stories in the UCLA Bruins’ Den, stories of peace to share an appreciation for diversity in the LMU Lions’ Lair, and story time with Dr. Seuss in the Arts Academy with the NFL moms. After the students finished listening to the stories, they received a free book to increase their pleasure reading libraries at home and support the academic play of reading 15-30 minutes every evening called by Principal Reed. The play is called Operation R.E.E.D. (Read Every Evening Diligently).
The highlight of the evening was having the children bring their sleeping bags into the auditorium, sit on the floor with their friends, and culminate the Reading Pajama Party with a fantastic Magic Show by Mark the Magician from “Magic with Aloha.” Mr. Kiyabu’s show kept the children and parents on the edge of their seats, laughing, clapping, and trying to figure out the magician’s magic.
The sight of students and parents enjoying an evening of quality entertainment and family time made the event a great success of Reading Across America. In the words of Dr. Seuss, “You are never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child!”
