St. Francis Xavier celebrates "Read Across America"

St. Francis Xavier

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KEARNS — The teachers and education support professionals of Saint Francis Xavier School appreciate the support of all the community members, parents and grandparents who helped with "Read Across America," encouraging children to pick up a book and read.

This year marks the 16th annual celebration of reading and Dr. Seuss’ birthday, a day when readers across the country celebrate Theodor Seuss Geisel, otherwise known as Dr. Seuss. It is a day pledged to reading, while honoring a man who has made an important contribution to teaching children to read.

Readers at St. Francis Xavier School who were a part of this flurry of reading excitement included Brian Mullahy and Holly Menino from KUTV 2 News. Micheon Zbinden, Pat Aragon, Rosa Rodriguez, and Dawn Woods were readers from the St. Francis Xavier community; Margaret Neville, book buyer for the King’s English Bookshop; Steve Klauke, announcer for the Utah Bees baseball team; Thelxy Hauenstien dressed in character as the Cat in the Hat; Chief Jon Fasset from the Unified Police Department, and representatives from Barnes & Noble Book Store, Jeremy Black and Robyn Wilson, and Carrie from the Kearns Library. Thanks to all of these wonderful presenters for the great time the children experienced.

Three teams from the Intermountain Therapy Animals also joined the celebration. The Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program improves children’s reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: reading to a dog. But not just any dog. R.E.A.D dogs are registered therapy animals that volunteer with their owner/handlers as a team, going from schools, libraries and many other settings as reading companions for children. The teams included Jan and Dixie, Peggy and Grace, and Allison with Jack. It was a special treat for the students to spend time with these trainers and their beautiful dogs.

Bringing students and books together, that is the ultimate goal and Read Across America does just that. Dr. Seuss said it himself, "You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child."