State Reps. Pam Staneski (R-119) and Charles Ferraro (R-117) paid a visit to Live Oaks Elementary School in Milford March 5 to participate in Read Across America Day.
Staneski and Ferraro both read Spaghetti Hot Dog Bun: Having Courage To Be Who You Are, by Maria Dismondy, to the students. The book promoted this year’s theme of kindness.
Spaghetti Hot Dog Bun: Having Courage To Be Who You Are teaches young children to have compassion and show kindness for those who might be different than they are. The story conveys the “golden rule” principle of treating people how you would like to be treated.
Staneski read to the fifth grade class and Ferraro read to the fourth grade class.
“I had a wonderful time reading to these amazing kids,” Staneski said. “This event is one of the funniest parts of my job, and the school staff always does such a great job promoting the event. It is of the utmost importance that children explore and develop good reading habits.”
“It is so important for us to lead by example and teach our children that reading not just one day but every day is something that will benefit their daily lives,” Ferraro said. “We need to start putting down our cell phones and start picking up more books. I challenge everyone in our community to read more.”
Read Across America the National Education Association’s signature program. According to the organization’s website, it seeks to build a nation of readers through the program. Now in its 20th year, this year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources.
For more information, visit www.nea.org/readacross.
State Rep. Pam Staneski reads to fifth grade students at Live Oaks Elementary School in Milford March 5 for Read Across America Day. Contributed photo.
State Rep. Charles Ferraro reads to fourth grade students at Live Oaks Elementary School in Milford March 5 for Read Across America Day. Contributed photo.