LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

There were hats. There was hair that stood tall and twisted sideways. There were red fish, blue fish, and readers everywhere.

Across Linden Public Schools, classrooms, hallways and auditoriums transformed into lively stages for imagination during Read Across America Week, March 2–6, the nationwide literacy celebration that begins each year on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.

Inspired by Seuss’ playful rhymes and enduring message about the power of reading, the week encourages students across the country to explore books and build lifelong literacy habits.

This year’s national theme from the National Education Association invited students to “Create and Celebrate a Nation of Diverse Readers,” with a special March focus on Championing Kindness through stories that build empathy and highlight diverse voices.

In Linden, the celebration unfolded in colorful and creative ways. Students marched in vocabulary parades, paired up for buddy reading, welcomed community guest readers, transformed their hair into works of art, and even danced to rap performances celebrating the power of books.

The message throughout the district was clear. Reading is an adventure. And everyone is invited.

Superintendent Joins the Celebration

Superintendent Dr. Atiya Y. Perkins joined the festivities by visiting classrooms and reading to students, sharing stories and encouraging them to embrace the joy of books.

Gathered on classroom rugs and around small desks, students listened as Perkins turned pages and brought stories to life.

She reminded them that reading does more than build academic skills. It opens doors. “Books help us understand the world and the people around us,” Perkins told students. “The more you read, the more you discover.”

From Seuss Hats to Wacky Hair

Across the district, schools leaned into the playful spirit of Dr. Seuss with themed days inspired by his classic books.

Students celebrated “Hats Off to Reading” in tribute to The Cat in the Hat, while later in the week hallways erupted with color during the wildly popular Wacky Hair Day.

At School No. 4, students arrived with gravity-defying hairstyles decorated with bright colors, ribbons and accessories.

Four students took creativity to another level by transforming their hair into a mini writing station, complete with pencils, crayons and school supplies woven into their design.

Kindergarteners in Ms. Wilkie’s class proudly showed off their red, white and blue outfits while diving into favorite Seuss books throughout the week.

Students were so eager to read that many kept returning to spend more time reading with Mrs. Kowalski, turning her classroom into an ongoing celebration of stories.

Buddy Reading Builds Connections

At School No. 6, literacy took on a warm and collaborative feel.

Third-grade students kicked off the week inside Miss Kelly’s Reading Café, where they settled into independent reading time while enjoying light refreshments.

Later in the week, the school ended the celebration with a simple but powerful activity.

Buddy reading.

First-grade and third-grade students paired up to read together, with older students helping guide younger readers through stories.

Sitting side by side, they shared pages, sounded out words, and discovered the joy of reading together.

Community Readers Join the Story

At School No. 2, students welcomed special guest readers from the NJ Bridge Builder Foundation Inc. and the local chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

The visitors spent time reading with students and donated books to kindergarten and first-grade classrooms.

For many students, the visit showed that reading is not just a classroom activity.

It is something communities celebrate together.

When Words Come to Life

At School No. 8, reading week took a creative twist with a lively Word Parade during morning assemblies.

Students arrived dressed as vocabulary words, transforming language into colorful costumes.

Some appeared as tropical explorers.
Others represented patriotic, sleepy, nautical, royal, or colorful themes.
Still others portrayed words tied to emotions, seasons and imagination.

Even the adults joined the fun.

Principal Michelle Rodriguez paraded with the word “Chill.”
Superintendent Perkins chose “Leaders.” Board of Education President Malaysia Thomas proudly wore the word “Trying.” Together, the parade turned vocabulary into a living lesson about the power of language.

When Literacy Meets Music and Movement

At School No. 5, the celebration took on rhythm and energy.

The Philadelphia-based group RAP — Rapping About Prevention brought a high-energy assembly to the school, blending music, dance, humor and audience participation to promote healthy living and the joy of reading.

Led by motivational speaker Sterlen Barr and his dance crew Special EFX, the performance had students and teachers clapping, chanting and dancing along.

Barr delivered a message students quickly repeated throughout the gymnasium. “The more you read, the more you learn.”

Students responded in chorus. “I will read more.” Then came the final line. “Reading is fun.”

A Week That Celebrated Stories

By the end of the week, thousands of Linden students had experienced reading in ways that stretched far beyond textbooks.

Books sparked creativity. Words marched through hallways.

Stories brought classrooms together.

And somewhere in the background, the spirit of Dr. Seuss seemed to linger. As he once wrote, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

Across Linden Public Schools, students spent the week discovering just how true those words can be.