On Monday, March 3rd 2025, a group of students from ACE made their way to Pembroke Elementary School for the yearly Read Across America event. This event is made to celebrate a children’s book author, Dr. Seuss’s birthday, and show kids the joy of reading.
The day started with the two groups of students traveling to Pembroke Elementary School where, “We gathered as a whole group in the library,” Melissa Lasky, a teacher at ACE, said.
ACE students assembled with additional volunteers like police officers, firefighters, and other members of the community. After everyone was there it was time to move onto the real reason for arriving, reading to the students. “After a quick breakfast we split into groups” Melissa continues, “Jamari and Jonathan were the ACE students in my group and they did a fantastic job reading to the students”.
Fifth grade student leaders at Pembroke Elementary escorted volunteers to their assigned classes, and once there our ACE students read children’s books to them.
“I was paired with Stacy, one of our students”
Daniela, another teacher from ACE and the person who put this event together said.
“I was amazed at the students at Pembroke in our classroom. They were second graders, they asked really good questions, they were enthusiastic about the book, and they were just so grateful that we were there” explains Daniela, “and it wasn’t just the elementary students who enjoyed the reading, the ACE students there also enjoyed reading to them, and being able to share the love of reading.”
Every student enjoyed the experience and gained from it. There were many positive and wonderful moments but according to Melissa the best part was “After the reading seeing our students having fun with puppets and the animals in the library, and seeing them be kids again” which proves all kids benefited from the reading, allowing a positive outcome in the end.
