Children at Wonder Years in Shelton were treated to a reading of books by the late children’s author Dr. Seuss by state Representative Lawrence G. Miller on Monday, March 30th in observance of Read Across America Day.
Before reading to the students, Representative Miller attended a kick-off breakfast at John J. Sullivan’s Restaurant on Wakelee Avenue at 8 a.m. attended by almost 40 area legislators, superintendents, mayors and educators. David Nee, executive director of the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund in Hamden, gave the opening remarks. Attendees were encouraged to bring a new or slightly used children’s book to be donated.
The event was organized by the Early Childhood Task Force of the Valley Council for Health and Human Services, with assistance from the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance, who recruited the legislators who read to children at area schools.
In addition to Rep. Miller, R-122nd District, other guest readers included state Representative Jason Perillo, R-113th District,, who read to preschool children at Long Hill Elementary School, 565 Long Hill Avenue; state Senator Dan Debicella, R-21st District, who read at the School Readiness Classroom on Howe Avenue; and Mayor Mark Lauretti and Shelton Schools Supt. Robin Willink, at Lafayette School.
Read Across America Day, an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading, is usually held on March 2nd, the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss. This year’s event was postponed until Monday because of a heavy snowstorm. Read Across America Day is sponsored by the National Education Association.
The memorial fund, which underwrote the breakfast program, works collaboratively to improve education for Connecticut children by supporting school change, informing the public debate on educational issues, and strengthening the involvement of parents and the community in education.
