Westfield resident Maryann Tanski reads to third graders in Kim DiSessa’s class at Russell Elementary as part of ROAR Thursday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – On Thursday, 81 volunteers from the community, local businesses and retirees visited all six elementary schools in Westfield to read aloud to students in the pre-k through third grades as part of the ROAR (Reach Out and Read) program.
This is the fourteenth year that the event has been held, sponsored by a grant from the Shurtleff Children’s Services in Westfield.
Tina Macy, volunteer coordinator for the Westfield Public Schools, said this is her second ROAR event since starting in January. She had to recruit a lot of new readers this fall to fill all the slots.
“It was nice to see people jumping in and getting excited about it,” Macy said.
Two of the new readers at Russell Elementary School came from First Niagara Bank. Westfield resident Anne Faunce, who is a manager for the Southwick and Feeding Hills branches, read Those Pesky Rabbits by Clara Flood to Sandy O’Connor’s first grade class.
Third-grader Richard Moritkl meets volunteer Maryann Tanski to bring her to class for the Reach Out and Read event Thursday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Before starting the book, Faunce asked the children what they like about stories. The answers included having a quiet time, and animals with “human characteristics.” Faunce told the students she likes reading because it can take you away to another place, like “watching a movie in my head.”
Those Pesky Rabbits is about a bear who enjoyed his solitude before a family of rabbits moved in next door. After initially shooing them away, the bear warmed up to the rabbits and they became good friends. Following the reading, the book was given to the school library as part of the Shurtleff Children’s Services Grant. In all, 98 books were donated to the schools this time.
Westfield resident Maryann Tanski, a branch manager in the Southwick office of First Niagara Bank, read The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat to Kim DiSessa’s third grade class in Russell. Beekle is an imaginary friend who is waiting for a child to choose him. When he isn’t chosen, he goes out seeking one for himself.
Following the reading, DiSessa asked the students what they thought of the story. One child said it reminded her of the new Disney movie Inside Out, which also centers on an emotional journey. Another child said Beekle reminded her of the imaginary friend she had when she was little.
Also reading today at the Southampton Road School was Westfield News Publisher Patrick Berry, who read What James Said by Liz Rosenberg to Ann Marie Buell’s first grade class.
The next ROAR event will take place in April, when volunteers will read to fourth and fifth graders. Anyone who wants to volunteer may contact Macy at 413-572-6345 or by email at [email protected].
