Today is Dr. Seuss’ birthday and a national day of reading, Read Across America.
To celebrate, Douma Elementary hosted five students from the Ottumwa Job Corps Center as guest readers. According to Jessica Durr, Student Government Association Staff Advisor, “this is the first time Job Corps has done this on a national level. It is our way to promote literacy.” Because district students are out of school today, Job Corps volunteers read Dr. Seuss books to classrooms on Wednesday.
First grade teacher, Mrs. Harsh, reminded her students to “criss cross applesauce and hands in the bowl” as they sat on the floor and prepared to be good listeners. Their guest reader began reading “The Lorax.”
“What does a lorax do?” asked one curious first grader. Harsh assured him he would learn all about the forest creature when the story was read.
“I like reading to little kids,” said Brett Wilcox from Independence who is also a fan of Dr. Seuss. “Little kids are cool,” he said. His book of choice was “The Cat in the Hat.”
“I have read to little kids before and found it to be a lot of fun,” said Frenchon Harris from Jacksonville, FL.
Volunteering in the community is not new to the students on the airport campus. They also volunteer for other community organizations including the Food Bank of Southern Iowa and Bridge View Center.
