News Release
March 2, 2007
Del Pueblo Elementary Celebrates Reading
Friday, March 2 is Dr. Seuss's birthday, and Del Pueblo Elementary, 750 Galapago, is celebrating in a big way. For ten years, students and staff at Del Pueblo have participated in Read Across America, the celebration of reading sponsored by the National Education Association.
As in previous years, Del Pueblo will welcome numerous guest readers to its classrooms. But this year, Governor Bill Ritter and First Lady Jeannie Ritter will also participate. The Ritters will be at the school at 9:30 Friday morning to read to the school's students and to watch a performance of Seussville songs.
The Seussville performance by the kindergarten through 2nd grade students will be repeated at 1:30 Friday afternoon. Then students and guest readers will return to their classrooms for an hour of reading.
Guest readers include: Teresa Pena, president of the Denver School Board; Mitch Morrissey, Denver District Attorney; Reggie Rivers, KCNC sportscaster; Don Mares, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Labor; Kim Ursetta, president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association; and Carolyn Crowder, National Education Association executive committee member, to name a few. The school will also welcome local fire fighters, police, and personnel from Buckley Air Force Base.
Del Pueblo's reading extravaganza is coordinated by Ann Franco, a first and second grade teacher. Franco said, "We are honored to have the Governor and Mrs. Ritter join us for our 10th Del Pueblo Read Across America event. But we are equally thrilled and honored to have the continued support of our community leaders who come every year to read to our students.
"Read Across America is a special holiday at Del Pueblo," continued Franco. "Our children value reading and know how much fun it is to read and learn from that reading. As teachers we know how critical reading is to their academic success. Read Across America is one way for us to highlight both the value and the fun."