IUSD celebrates Read Across America

Bonita Canyon Elementary School Principal Robin Beacham reprised her long-running role as “The Cat in the Hat” Tuesday, and instructional assistants Rebecca Jefferson and Geri Aston aptly played the parts of Thing 1 and Thing 2, respectively, during a live performance of the famous children's book in honor of Read Across America Day. Created by the National Education Association, Read Across America is an annual literacy initiative that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel – better known 'round these parts as Dr. Seuss.

Elementary schools in Irvine generally mark the occasion by inviting special guests to read their favorite books. This year, Dr. Gavin Huntley-Fenner, a member of the IUSD Board of Education, read "The Hobbit" to students at University Park and Brywood elementary schools. Michael Parham, his colleague on the Board, read at Deerfield. (He's pictured to the left.)

At Bonita Canyon, Dr. Beacham and her team have been celebrating Read Across America with a version of “The Cat in the Hat” for a dozen years now, with students eagerly anticipating the annual arrival of Thing 1 and Thing 2. While it's true Dr. Beacham plans to retire at the end of this school year, that doesn't mean the book has closed on BC's "The Cat in the Hat" performances. In fact, we’re told the show is expected to return next year.