Students from Memorial School in Upton celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday as a way to kick off Read Across America Day, the nationals largest reading celebration which highlights the importance of developing a love for reading at an early age. The event was sponsored by The Memorial PTO and the Mendon Upton Regional Teachers Association
This years theme was grab your favorite hat and read a book with a cat. The students all wore funny hats while special guests read Dr. Seuss’ “I Wish I Had Duck Feet.” A quirky story about a boy who wants to be different and thinks maybe if he had duck feet, or antlers, or even a whale spout would make him better. In the end he realizes he is best just the way he is. Students were also entertained by the mischievous Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2 throughout the day.
Fire/EMS Chief Goodale was the guest reader for Mrs. Lopes first grade class. After the Chief finished reading he took a moment to answer questions the students had about the Fire Department. Here are just some of the questions asked by the 6 and 7 year olds.
- What do you do in the morning? We check the trucks to make sure they are ready and sometimes we wash the trucks.
- How do you set up your lockers? We don’t have lockers but our emergency gear hangs on hooks on wheels so we can move them around.
- Do you really use Axes to break down walls? Yes we use them as a tool.
- How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a Fire Fighter? I was 16.
Other guests who read to classes throughout the school were:
| Upton Police Chief Micahel Bradley | Upton EMS Captain Brain Kemp |
| Town Manager Blythe Robinson | Selectman Bob Fleming |
| Selectman Jim Brochu | Town Clerk Kelly McElreath |
| Childrens Librarian Nicole Basbanes | Russell Wood – Historical Society |
| Maureen Cohen – Dir. Of Curriculum | Phil DeZutter – School Committee Chair |
| Marilyn Holman – Town Crier | Rena Richard – Preservation Committee |
| Grace Maneri – School Committee | Lauren Ferrucci – Admin to Superintendent |
| Shawn Craig – Finn comm | Janice Nowicki – Council on Aging |
| Diane Tiernan – Board of Health | Denise Smith – Planning Board |
| Carol Gibson – Memorial School | Ms. Meyers & Mrs. Allen – Miscoe |
Photos below are courtesy of the Memorial PTO
