Mayor shares love of reading with Errickson students

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Students in the Freehold Township schools took part in the 10th annual National Education Association (NEA) Read Across America event on March 2. Students were involved in various activities throughout the day in support of an effort to promote enthusiasm for reading. Students exchanged books, older students read to those in younger grades, and parents and community leaders participated as guest readers.

According to a press release from the school district, Mayor Dorothy Avallone was one of the guests at the Marshall W. Errickson School, Elton-Adelphia Road. Before she read "The Sneetches" by Dr. Seuss to second-graders, the mayor told the students and teachers that the first place she became involved in the community was by being part of the Errickson PTO when her children attended the school.

"I am excited to be here to read to you today," Avallone said.

To welcome readers, the PTO parents and teachers set up a cafe area with light refreshments and various Dr. Seuss books for browsing before they were brought to assigned classes for reading.

"This has been wonderful," said Celine McNally, third-grade teacher. "It offers students an opportunity to read for fun, while also practicing the reading strategies they learn every day."

Participants included parents, police officers and school district administrators.

According to the NEA, Read Across America, the nation's largest reading celebration, continues to grow. Organizers have said that all around the nation, schools share the love of reading with celebrations. The Freehold Township schools and members of the community continue to share that enthusiasm by participating in events such as this each year, according to the press release.