Monday was the kick-off event to Read Across America.

At Lathrop Elementary School, it was “Drop Everything and Read,” a school-wide afternoon reading session that took place on the black top and other outdoor areas of the Manteca Unified kindergarten-through- eighth- grade campus.

“They picked up their favorite book at the library and read it (to themselves),” said second-grade teacher Shelly Raichel.

For the older students, this Read Across America kick-off session was about setting a good example to K-3 youngsters, according to Daniel Torres, who is teaches a combo fourth- / fifth- graders.

Read Across America Week offers a diverse lineup of children’s books.

The National Education Association launched the event that encouraged children to read in 1998, honoring Dr. Seuss – born Theodor Geisel, his birthday (March 2) was initially celebrated in conjunction with Read Across America.

NEA recently pivoted from that to focus on diverse children’s books.

During the past year, MUSD purchased 20 new books titles for each of the elementary school sites, focusing on the celebration of “individuality, taking action, the beauty of perspective, the power of your voice, and influential Americas,” according to the district office’s Community Outreach.

Ripon Unified will feature Read Across America on Thursday evening hosted by Ripon Elementary School beginning at 6 o’clock in the Ripon High Multi-Purpose Room.

Other upcoming reading events include:

• Wednesday – George McParland Elementary School and Annex is having a pancake breakfast and pajama dress up for K-2 students from 8 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Local police and district leaders will be among the community readers.
• Friday – Book character and dress-up parade is planned at Brock Elliott (8:30 a.m.), Lathrop Elementary (8:30 a.m.) and August Knodt (10:30 a.m.).
• Wednesday, March 9 – Students at Veritas Elementary School will be decked out in their best space gear for “Over the Moon about Reading,” from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. TK-3 students will meet in the gym under the projected moon and stars with flashlights to read during this time.

The events of Read Across America – themed days, spirited breakfast, camaraderie, etc. – are designed to help drive the transition between ‘learning to read’ and ‘reading to learn,” a critical academic hurdle in young students, according to MUSD.