The National Education Association's Read Across America will celebrate its fifth anniversary in March and Denver Public Schools is taking part in a big way.

The events celebrate the joy of reading and honors Dr. Seuss, whose birthday falls on March 2. Since the good doctor's birthday is on a Saturday in 2002, the official celebration is March 1.

In Denver, there are a wide variety of activities planned. At Academia Sandoval (3655 Wyandot St.), teachers and office staff will wear the Read Across America pins and some staff will wear a "Cat In The Hat" hat. Students have made bookmarks that read "Me Encanta Leer" during library time and kindergarteners have been holding "Drop Everything And Read" time in the afternoon.

At Philips Elementary School (6550 E. 21st Ave.), volunteers from "Essentials For Life" Character Education Program and volunteers from Signma Gamma Sorority Rho Rhorer Club will spend time in the school morning and afternoon. The Rhorer Club members have selected books and made monogrammed T-shirts with characters from the stories. They will wear the shirts while reading stories to the children. After the program, they will donate the books to the school library and provide a snack for children.

Harrington Elementary School (2401 E. 37th Ave.) will celebrate Dr. Seuss's 98th birthday with an abundance of activities. Harrington will remember Dr. Seuss's philosophy – "You're never too young, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child" – by having Cresent Realty volunteers come and read with students at 10:15 a.m. That morning for breakfast, students will eat green eggs and ham in the lunchroom. Reading Dr. Seuss's books will happen all week in the library with primary students creating turtles from "Yertle The Turtle." Second grade students will attempt a balancing game inspired by the "Cat In The Hat," who taught them how to balance a cake on a rake and a fish on a dish! Fifth graders will create hats inspired by "Bartholomew Cubbins and the 500 Hats"!

Throughout the day, community people will read to classes at Lincoln Elementary School (710 S. Pennsylvania St.). The school will be honored with visits by many individuals including Councilwoman Kathleen MacKenzie, Senator Doug Linkhart, and retired DPS Administrator Cora Redden. Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. the school will host a family night. Gina Otto author of the new Best Selling Children's Book, "Cassandra's Angel", will share her book with students and parents. Each child attending will receive a free book, get to make a bookmark, and purchase a copy of Otto's book and have it autographed.

A varied group of readers will descend on Del Pueblo Elementary School (750 Galapago St.) to read from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Readers will include Denver Auditor Don Mares, representatives from Denver Police Department District 6, West High School students, Board members Kevin Patterson and Michelle Moss, and Becky Wissink, president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, and Denver Broncos' Cheerleaders. The nearby Byers Library and the Colorado Rockies will also be represented.

Students will dress up as their favorite storybook character at McGlone Elementary School (4500 Crown Blvd.). The school will also host Dr. Seuss birthday parties and the lunchroom will be decorated with streamers and balloons, with ice cream and cupcakes served to students at lunchtime.

Reading will be done in Spanish and English at Schenck Elementary School (1300 S. Lowell Blvd.), where parents and community members will read aloud to all students. A mini workshop will be held for parents on read-aloud tips and selecting books. Some students and parents will be dressing up as Dr. Seuss characters, too.

Ellis Elementary School (1651 S. Dahlia St.) has set aside time from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. for Read Across America. Various family members, grandparents and others have agreed to read, with over 20 volunteers in all.

The Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory will send a team of volunteers to Columbian Elementary School (2925 W. 40th Ave.) in northwest Denver to present and read books. The books will be presented in the all-purpose room at 12:30 p.m., reading in classrooms will begin at 12:50 p.m.

Jesse Whaley Maxwell (14390 E. Bolling Dr.) is observing the day by inviting guest readers to read a book with a classroom. The readings begin at 2:45 p.m. Readers are bringing their favorite Dr. Seuss book or reading one supplied by the school. A reception for all readers and staff will wrap up the day.

Staff will hear hats throughout the day at Bradley Elementary School (3051 S. Elm St). and in the afternoon all grade levels will have organized activities in their classroom. For example, Kindergarten and ECE have a storyteller from Denver Public Library who will be visiting and reading to the classes. The Library Media Center teacher plans on dressing up in a Cat in the Hat costume and serving cake towards the end of the day.