Several schools in Denver are gearing up to celebrate the National Education Association’s (NEA) annual Read Across America event to focus attention on how important it is to motivate children to read and master basic skills. The nationwide reading celebration takes place each year on or around March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss.

Teller Elementary School will host a reading party to honor Dr. Seuss. The school will welcome some very distinguished guests who will read to the students during the school’s Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day on Monday, March 1. Mrs. Esquibel’s second-grade class wrote many personal invitations, and Congresswoman Diana DeGette, City Council members Jeanne Robb and Doug Linkhart, Denver Public Schools Area Superintendent Dr. Irene Martinez-Jordan and Assistant Area Superintendent Beth Biggs, Board of Education member Theresa Pena, Educational Resource Services Director Jody Gehrig and Sandy Seta, Supervisor of Guest Services for the Colorado Rockies, all accepted! Teller Elementary School is located at 1150 Garfield St. If anyone else would like to visit Teller and read from his or her favorite book, contact Cathey Bonnefoi at the school, 303-333-4285.

Jessie Whaley Maxwell Elementary School will kick off Read Across America on Monday, March 1 with “I Love Literacy Day.” Fifty guest readers have been invited to the school during the day to read to children in each classroom. Readers are bringing their favorite book to share with the students. As a culminating activity, the school has planned a 1:15-2:15 p.m. special assembly featuring Opalanga Pugh, a well-known storyteller. Maxwell Elementary School is located at 14390 E. Bolling Dr. The phone number is 303-576-6557.

Bradley Elementary School will celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday on Monday and Tuesday, March 1 and 2 with Re(a)d Letter Days. On Monday, every student will receive a free Reading is Fundamental book, and the whole school will read for 10 minutes and 10 seconds at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday is Seussentennial Day with a Seuss trivia assembly and readers theater at 2:45 p.m. The assembly will conclude with a happy birthday tribute and cake and cookies. Don't forget to wear your red and white on Tuesday. Bradley Elementary School is located at 3051 S. Elm St. The phone number is 303-756-8386 for more information.

Students at Wyman Elementary School will enjoy a breakfast of green eggs and ham at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, March 2 in celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Wyman Principal Delores Manns-Martin will kick off the breakfast by reading Green Eggs and Ham to the children. Seussian festivities will continue from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. when parents and community members will read aloud to the children. Parents and community members interested in participating are invited to call Wyman at 303-320-1632. Drop-ins are also welcome -- just stop by the school library at 2:30 p.m. Wyman is located at 1690 Williams St.

North High School and Valdez Elementary School will work together to reach the district’s Million Words Campaign one-million word goal from 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, March 2 in celebration of Dr. Seuss' 100th birthday. North High School students will read to the elementary students at Valdez, the goal being to reach the one-million word goal in one hour. Valdez Elementary School is located at 2525 W. 29th Ave. The school’s phone number is 303-433-2581.

Students at Columbian Elementary School are celebrating reading! They have been reading Dr. Seuss books in classrooms and in the library. On Tuesday, March 2, the school is celebrating Read Across America Day with an all-school DEAR time at the beginning of the day. Students and staff simultaneously will “Drop Everything And Read!” On Wednesday, March 3, students are traveling to Lakewood Cultural Center to attend a production of the “Sneetches” performed by Speaking of Dance. All students and staff will attend this show, filling the entire theater! “We are all so excited about this wonderful opportunity,” said Debbie Tu-Tygrs of Columbian Elementary. “In preparation for this event and in honor of his 100th birthday, children in every grade have had fun reading the imaginative stories of Dr. Seuss!” Columbian Elementary School is located at 2925 W. 40th Ave. The school’s phone number is 303-433-2539.