Video by Patty Stocker
There’s a surprise at the Abbot School — a story walk to honor National Read Across America Day. Also known as Dr. Seuss Day since it began in 1998, this initiative was created by the National Education Association to encourage reading in children and to foster reading programs through schools nationwide. The catalysts behind the project were Abbot School Principal Lori McDermott, and Literary Specialist Amy Dobski, who said the event is typically celebrated on March 2nd.
“Obviously this year was not a typical year”, Dobski said. “We had to brainstorm with each other about some alternative ways to safely socially distance and celebrate reading in the month of March and we had several activities but Ms. McDermott forwarded some ideas and we came up with the idea of a story walk.”
“The other thing we were looking for with this Read Across America plan and to celebrate reading was how we could involve students in our Remote Learning Academy “, said McDermott. “This was a nice way to let the Remote Learning Academy families know that if they wanted to drive by anytime, their student could still enjoy it.”
McDermott and Dobski also discuss the challenges of constructing the story walk platforms and explain why they chose the illustrated book, The Golden Rule, as the kick off to the program. They say they are hoping to make the story walk a permanent feature at the Abbot School.
