Irving School, in Derby, celebrated Read Across America Monday, March 3 with their first annual READ-IN.
The event was organized by the Irving School Literacy Specialists, Keely Edwards, Jessica Glassman and Tricia Marini.
Students started the day with a book swap, where children brought books in to school to trade with their peers.
New Haven Reads donated 500 books, so all students had the opportunity to go home with a gently used book.
Later in the day, the students gathered in the gymnasium and were led in a reading oath by Dr. Matthew Conway, Superintendent of Schools.
The purpose of the oath was to inspire the students to become life-long readers. Next, The Cat in the Hat was read to the students by Dr. Stacy Chambers, Assistant Superintendent.
Then, the school chorus sang a Read Across America themed song.
Mayor Anita Dugatto spoke to the students before they got cozy with a stuffed animal, a warm blanket and a good book for the D.E.A.R. time (Drop Everything and Read).
The attached picture from the READ-IN shows three students, Jasmine, Nataly and Kailyn, along with Mrs. Jessica Glassman, Literacy Specialist, as the Cat in the Hat.
