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Struthers Elementary School gets wacky
By Sarah Lehr
STRUTHERS
Randy Spencer, a third-grader at Struthers Elementary School, spent part of Wednesday afternoon composing a letter to late children’s book author Theodor S. Geisel, best known by his pen name Dr. Seuss.
“I wanted to tell him ‘thank you’ for all the books he wrote,” said Randy, whose favorite Dr. Seuss classics include “Green Eggs and Ham” and “The Sneetches.”
Randy joined his classmates in celebrating Seuss’ 112th birthday with a “wacky day.”
Seuss, born March 2, 1904, and who won a Pulitzer Prize and three Academy Awards, was a writer and illustrator of more than 40 children’s books. He died in 1991 in California.
Students and staff wore their loudest clothes and wildest hairdos in recognition of the day.
Teachers also mixed up their routines. Third-grade teacher Alexis Kunzer hung her classroom posters upside down, affixed shoes to the walls and encouraged students to use their chairs as desks.
Fourth-graders in Lisa Ostrowski’s class honored Seuss’ affinity for word play by scrambling up the letters in their own names and making new name tags.
Elena Bullen, a third-grader, explained the day involved “cool” activities.
Elena, whose outfit included rainbow socks and hair styled with three ponytails, sat on the floor as she decorated a Dr. Seuss quote. Her teacher had decided to shake things up by taping the quotes under the students’ desk.
Wednesday’s wacky activities coincided with Right to Read Week. Earlier in the week, students heard presentations from author Sandra Phillipson and illustrator Jenny Campbell. The week’s grand finale will be a book parade through the halls of the school Friday.
Sandra Horvath, literacy coordinator for Struthers City Schools, says events like Wacky Day and Right to Read Week can help students develop a lifetime love of reading.