METUCHEN — Four Rutgers student athletes delighted Campbell Elementary School’s first grade when they read Dr. Seuss books to the school’s youngest students. The visit on Feb. 27 marked the beginning of Campbell’s celebration of Read Across America and Dr. Seuss’s birthday.
“Read Across America is a wonderful opportunity for children to enjoy Dr. Seuss books and celebrate reading. We are pleased to have Rutgers student-athletes share their enthusiasm for Dr. Seuss,” said Vincent Caputo, Metuchen School District Superintendent of Schools. “It’s very exciting for our younger students to meet those who are in college – our students can begin to understand that higher education is a goal for them to attain one day.”
Participating in the read-aloud were Felicia O’Donnell, Paige Senatore and Lindsay Bertulis of the Rutgers Track Team and Stephanie Zielinski of the Rutgers Volleyball Team. The four also answered questions from the children about their academic and athletic activities.
In addition, as part of the school’s Read Across America activities, Campbell collected 645 new or gently used books to donate to children in shelters throughout Middlesex County.
The 14-year-old Read Across America program is sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA). According to the association, the program aims to motivate children and teens to read. NEA’s Read Across America Day, takes place annually on or near March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss.
