The Cat in the Hat visits Hartsville school
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Kids at Washington Street Elementary School in Hartsville welcomed a special guest last Friday as beloved Dr. Seuss character “The Cat in the Hat” dropped by to remind students that while reading is fundamental, it can also be lots of fun.
Representatives from EdVenture Children’s Museum of Columbia joined with the South Carolina Education Association (SCEA) for this national “Read Across America Day” observance to highlight the importance of reading and to celebrate the March 2 birthday of beloved author Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss.
Washington Street Elementary students enjoyed story time with EdVenture guest Mr. Matt (who read the Seuss classic “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!) and danced the hokey-pokey with the Cat in the Hat. Students also got to take some fun home with them; each kid received a gift bag containing a book, bookmark, stickers, a Cat in the Hat hat, and other useful and fun little trinkets.
“Reading is fundamental in order to access knowledge and skills and be college and career ready in an ever-changing society. We’ve partnered with EdVenture to promote literacy and the importance of reading,” said Bernadette Hampton, a math teacher from Beaufort County and current president of the SCEA.
Hampton added that improved literacy is linked to better overall student performance and increased efficiency for teachers, so taking time to enhance reading skills yields a strong return on investment.
“Research says that when you motivate children to spend more time reading, they do better in school. When they do better in school, it minimizes the challenges for classroom teachers and helps us to promote student achievement,” said Hampton.