March 4, 2004

Local elementary schools host annual ‘Read Across America' event
Guest readers include vice-mayor, professional soccer player, author

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Imagination is the key to dreams and happiness. Recently, local elementary students got an up-close, in-person lesson on how to cultivate the imaginations that have led three local celebrities to live their dreams.

This week, in conjunction with the California Teachers Association's (CTA) Read Across America event, Simonds Elementary School welcomed Felton-based author Karen Gedig Burnett, while Guadalupe Elementary School hosted San Jose Vice-Mayor Pat Dando and San Jose Earthquakes' President/General Manager Alexi Lalas. All three were invited to read books to the students and answer questions about their respective career choices.

The event, conceived in 1998, is designed to help children become more interested in reading. It coincides with the very popular Dr. Suess' birthday. The CTA proposes that every adult pick up a book and read to a child on March 4.

According to the CTA, “Read[ing] Across America” is incredibly important. The skill of reading is one of the most valuable tools a child will acquire. Often, children connect to a subject on a deeper level when they experience it through a fresh medium. Reading , in particular, is essential because mastering basic reading skills helps motivate children to learn many other subjects, as well.

Author Karen Gedig Burnett visited Simonds on March 1, reading her book “Simon's Hook.” During the assemblies for fourth and fifth graders, Burnett even took the time to explain how she has been able to publish her books independently. Subsequently, Burnett fielded enthused student questions, discussing compensation, cost overruns, initial printing numbers, dummy sheets, and other aspects of the publishing process.

“Simon's Hook” was recently selected by Simonds Principal Linda Kakes as a Principal's Book Club book. The honor translates into a copy of “Simon's Hook” in every classroom and an entry into the teaching curriculum at Simonds. “Simon's Hook” is the story of a young boy who is teased by his friends about a really bad haircut. Frustrated, he runs to a neighbor, Gramma Rose, who teaches him to rise above such torment, paralleling the technique that humans use to catch fish.

Later, at Guadalupe on March 2, Vice Mayor Pat Dando read the Dr. Suess book, “Horton Hears a Who,” to the fourth grade. Beforehand, she took the opportunity to remind the students why the day is significant.

“Today is a very special day for two reasons,” she said. “It's Dr. Suess' birthday and it's also special because it is an election day. So make sure your parents have voted today. It's a right in this country. And, what your parents do makes a difference on a community and state level. Everyone's vote is important.” Especially at Guadalupe Elementary School. The school's future is in question as the district will have to close two schools if Measure G doesn't pass (after the polls closed, it lost by two percent).

Alexi Lalas, meanwhile, the president and general manager of the San Jose Earthquakes soccer team, also came to Guadalupe to read “Rhinos Play Soccer.” His audience of enthralled fourth graders peppered him with soccer strategy questions and bragged about their own soccer triumphs.

The 6-foot 4-inch redhead responded, explaining that he plays defender against ‘little guys' like Landon Donovan. Lalas reminded the students that they should be thankful to have such a talented soccer player as Donovan on a local team.

When asked what brought him to the Almaden school on Read America Day, Lalas replied, “I'm enjoying being part of the celebration of the 100 th birthday of a legend: Dr. Suess. It's important for me, being that I'm new to the area, to be involved with the community. I really enjoy it. I also get to expose the kids to the Earthquakes soccer team.”