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By Anne Egan-Waukau
WEAC Media Relations Specialist
Wausau’s
Hawthorn Hills Elementary School was transformed into Seussville on March
3 when WEAC President Stan Johnson and State Superintendent of Public
Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster joined community leaders in a birthday
gala for Dr. Seuss.
The Wausau event was part of the NEA’s sixth annual Read Across
America celebration, where more than 45 million parents, community members,
students and people of all walks of life joined in nationwide festivities.
“NEA’s Read Across America reminds parents and community members
of the crucial role they play in all children’s education,”
Johnson said. “Reading is a life lesson that should be taught as
early as possible.
“Taking time to read with a child is one of the most important lessons
that adults can share with their children. This celebration helps make
schools great by involving parents and other members of the community
in children’s reading and education,” he said.
“Reading is the foundation on which all future learning is built
and is the fundamental skill that separates those children who succeed
from those who struggle,” Burmaster said. “Reading with a child
ensures not only the mastery of reading but fosters a love of learning.
“It was our great privilege to come here to read,” Burmaster
said at an assembly at Hawthorn. “We all share our love for reading.”
Then she encouraged the children to go home and read: “Read to your
grandparents, your parents, younger brothers and sisters and cousins because
that’s what we are here to do - to celebrate and share the great
love of reading.”
Media and staff alike asked the same question: Why did Johnson and Burmaster
pick Hawthorn Hills?
They have WEAC member and Hawthorn third-grade teacher Susan Hunsicker to thank for that. Hunsicker was a delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly last summer in San Antonio, Texas, and won the visit during a raffle Johnson held at the assembly.
“Our staff was ecstatic when they heard I won,” she said. “We
were so excited to have Stan come in and read for us. And we are just
as excited to have Ms. Burmaster join us and speak to the kids.
“We had a great time. It gave our kids a chance to see all kinds
of people who use reading in their daily lives and to see just how important
reading is,” Hunsicker said. “It was a joyous day.”
Staff, administrators, police, firefighters, board members, and others
from the Wausau community donned red and white pipe hats and read to students
prior to a general assembly where Johnson - dressed as the Cat in the
Hat - gave a rousing reading of Dr. Seuss’s “Green Eggs and
Ham.”
Wausau Superintendent Charles T. Skurka said he was happy to see so many
leaders at the school.
“I just think it’s really positive for students to see adults
from all walks of life showing their enthusiasm for reading,” Skurka
said. “Kids emulate adults, and there were a lot of good role models
for kids here.
“We had the pillars of our community and state here,” he said.
“The enthusiasm that Elizabeth and Stan showed at the general assembly
is going to rub off on the kids. That’s what it’s all about
- motivating students.”
Master Sgt. John Purcell said a teacher at Hawthorn, who has three children
in the U.S. Marines, asked him to come to school to read.
“It’s a great event,” Purcell said. “Anything that
promotes reading is important.”
As part of the celebration, WEAC produced and distributed about 1 million stickers and bookmarks to students throughout the state.
A public service announcement featuring Wisconsin Badger basketball play-by-play
voice Matt Lapay was produced and aired on radio stations throughout the
state as well.
For more information about Read Across America celebrations, visit the NEA Web site at: www.nea.org/readacross.
Posted March 4, 2003