Westfield High School student readers for Dr. Seuss night at Franklin Avenue Elementary School. (Photos submitted)
WESTFIELD – Nearly 200 students, family members, and teachers visited Franklin Avenue in their pajamas to listen to stories, sing Happy Birthday, eat cake, and take home books on Thursday evening.
Both readers and listeners wore pajamas to the event.
The reading party culminated a week of activities celebrating Read Across America and Dr. Seuss’ birthday. This event, organized by Chris Tolpa, Interim Principal of Franklin Avenue, and Patricia LeClair, WHS English Department Chair, was a collaborative effort by many, Tolpa said.
Over thirty Westfield High School students volunteered their time to read to K-5 Franklin students. The WHS culinary department baked two Dr. Seuss sheet cakes that fed guests. The Westfield Education Association donated three dozen stove-pipe hats for the readers, while the PTO supplied water, plates, and forks.
WHS Culinary Arts students baked sheet cakes for the party.
“The highlight of the evening occurred when elementary students were able to choose their own books to take home. Over 1,000 gently used books were donated by WHS students and teachers and will now become part of Franklin Avenue students’ home libraries. What a celebration!“ Tolpa said.
