Principal's reading a real hit
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

Children at the Crawford-Rodriguez School enjoyed their meeting with the famous Cat in the Hat.

JACKSON - If a 7-foot-tall cat with a strange, red peppermint striped hat walked through the doorway of your kindergarten class, no doubt you would be surprised.

That's exactly what happened recently to several kindergarten classes at the Crawford-Rodriguez School who were treated to a very special birthday surprise in honor of the 102nd birthday of the late author Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss.

With Principal Robert Rotante reading the story of "The Cat in the Hat" to the children, who but the tall cat himself appeared in the media center to entertain the youngsters.

"We looked and we saw him step on the mat," Rotante read. "We looked and we saw the Cat in the Hat."

"All last week we celebrated Read Across America week, celebrating Dr. Seuss as well," the principal said. "It's just a whole emphasis on reading in the classroom, at home and in everyday life. This experience is a fun kind of ending to the Read Across America celebration, and the kindergarten students got to enjoy a special treat to see the Cat in the Hat."

DAVE BENJAMIN Robert Rotante, principal of the Crawford-Rodriguez School, Jackson, entertained youngsters recently with his enthusiastic reading of "The Cat in the Hat." For the story, see page 25.

Rotante said when you think of Dr. Seuss, you think of the Cat in the Hat.

Teacher Ellen Block said, "This is a great opportunity for our kids to listen to our principal, Mr. Rotante, read 'The Cat in the Hat' and also to see the character who came here from the NEA (National Education Association). We celebrated Read Across America with [guest] readers coming into the classroom, and throughout the week there were several Dr. Seuss books read and we promoted reading to the children."

Teacher Erin Schnorvus said, "The [children] love this. We had eight readers come in last week. They've heard the story two times, but to have it read by the principal was much better."