Read Across America Attracts Some Special Guest Readers in Stoughton

In honor of on March 2, Stoughton schools and the Stoughton Public Library held a number of activities to honor the man better known as . As part of Read Across America week, town and school officials took some time to read to young children.

Wednesday evening as part of Teddybear Storytime at the , Town Manager Francis T. Crimmins, Fire Chief David Jardin and Police Chief Paul Shastany read to a group of children.

On Friday the welcomed officials to read to both their morning and afternoon classes. In the morning session, Superintendent of Public Schools Dr. Marguerite Rizzi, Selectman John Anzivino and School Committee member Deborah Sovinee joined Crimmins and Shastany.

The children were quick to point out if they had the same book at home that was being read to them. Some were able to recite the story along with the special guest reader. Other times, the children engaged the town and school officials in some playful banter, with each public official showing his or her "lighter side."

“Children find most success in later grades when they have a literacy print and a print rich environment. It’s a great indicator for greater success further on,” Heather Tucker, principal of the Jones School, said.

“I think by inviting people such as the Town Selectmen, the Town Manager, the School Committee members and the Finance Committee members, we’re showing children how important it is to take an interest in reading and to have an investment in reading and that you can read for pleasure, you can read for school, but the more we read, the more enriched we can be with our lives.”

Take a look at the media gallery for photos and videos from Wednesday’s Teddybear Storytime and from Friday’s reading event at the Jones School. There is also a picture of Stoughton Patch “Mother Knows Best” Columnist Christine Iacobucci reading to a Hansen School class on Wednesday (dressed as the Cat in the Hat), as well as pictures from a special Dr. Seuss event at the Stoughton Target last Saturday.