Read Across America

Twenty-six students from The Harvey School were among thousands of volunteers from across the country who participated in the Read Across America initiative March 2.

Originally created as a one-day event to celebrate the joy of reading, and in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, the initiative has become the nation’s largest reading celebration, providing children with the motivation to read and delivering an important message that kids who read on a regular basis and are read to succeed in school and in life.

History teacher Mark Brandon spearheaded the effort at Harvey, galvanizing the teens and accompanying them to a number of local schools, including St. Mary’s in Ridgefield Conn., The Melrose School in Brewster, the Boys and Girls Club of Mount Kisco, The Long Ridge School in Stamford, Conn., and the Rippowam Cisqua School in Bedford. Lesley Boltz, Jonathan DePalma, Tim Halewicz, and Richard Wyland also accompanied the group.

Mr. Brandon is one of the advisors to the Community Service Club at Harvey, and felt that this latest project would be a good one for the students to experience. “The students were very excited about doing this,” said Mr. Brandon, “and the younger kids were thrilled because they were being read to by older kids.”

It was also an opportunity for sophomore Chloe Delaitre to return to her alma mater. “It was great working with the kids and wonderful to be back in my old school,” said Chloe, who graduated from The Long Ridge School a few years ago. Nicole Patrick and Alisa Langer, both juniors, said they also enjoyed the day of reading. They were among the eight students from Harvey who read to children, in grades pre-kindergarten to first grade, at The Melrose School. Both said it was a worthwhile experience and one they would do again without hesitation.

“I think the students did a great job,” said Mr. Brandon, “and it certainly corresponds with the school’s dedication to education and community service.”