Ocean City Primary School Celebrates "Read Across America"

By MADDY VITALE Ocean City Community Policing Unit Officer Jack Davis donned a different cap Monday for his visit to the Primary School. He traded in his official uniform cap for something a bit more eye-catching -- a giant Dr. Seuss “Cat in the Hat” hat. To the delight of the second grade students in Primary School teacher Erin Porter’s classroom, the officer read to them the favorite Dr. Seuss book. Davis was among members of the Ocean City community who joined in celebration of National Read Across America. Read Across America is an initiative on reading created by the National Education Association. And in honor of the birthday of Dr. Seuss on March 2 is a celebration at schools across the country. Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library member Doris McNorton reads to attentive students. The event was organized by the Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library. The group of 90-plus members of the community helps raise funds to benefit the library throughout the year with book sales and other events. Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor said partnerships between the schools and the library and volunteers of the library help lead to success of the students and the community as a whole. “Our students are so fortunate to grow up in a community that places importance on improving reading,” Taylor said. “The volunteers really embrace us. We can always count on them.” Teacher Carrie Merritt, seated in back, and members of her first grade class listen intently to one of the readers. Kathy Woodring, a member of the Friends and Volunteers, told a room filled with volunteers and other members of the community, that she was excited about the event. “We have such an incredible library and incredible schools,” Woodring said. “We are very happy to be working with the schools. Thank you so much for spreading the joy of reading.” Each of the guest readers received bags filled with books to take to the classrooms. Library Director Karen Mahar and Library Board of Trustees President Jennifer Shirk were among the officials who read to the students. Mahar read in teacher Carrie Merritt’s first grade classroom. Kids giggled and pointed to animal pictures in the book as Mahar described the skinks and other critters to answer some questions. One student asked, what’s a skink? The first graders took a couple of their best guesses at it and laughed along with Mahar. A skink is a lizard. Library Director Karen Mahar delights students with a book about animals. Board of Library Trustees President Jennifer Shirk said that she participates in the event every year. “This is by far my favorite event,” Shirk said. “I volunteer for it every year and every year I love it.” Primary School Principal Cathy Smith said the weeklong celebration at the school for Read Across America is special. She noted that the school could not do it without the hard work of the Friends and Volunteers of the OCFPL. “Every child will leave here with a book,” Smith emphasized. She walked down the halls room to room to listen to the guest readers and the students enjoying their time reading books together. Parents and other family members were also scheduled to read to the students. Smith, like Dr. Taylor, said it is an important day and that she is thankful for the partnership with the library and the Friends and Volunteers of the OCFPL. The community helps make the day a success. From left, Library Director Karen Mahar, Library Board of Trustees President Jennifer Shirk and Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor display some of the books read to students. Students enjoy the guest readers.