Wilkinsburg School District celebrated Read Across America Day with special guest readers who brought stories to life for students at Kelly Primary and Turner Intermediate. The day highlighted the joy of reading and engaged students with activities that complemented the books they read.
At Kelly Primary, students welcomed a variety of readers, including parents, a retired teacher, Assistant Principal Megan Flaherty, and School Board President Amanda Barber. Parent Jenna Chung shared stories and facts about Korean culture, introduced Korean snacks, and generously provided a book for every student in her son's second-grade class.
Retired teacher Mrs. Lech read Ten Apples up on Top! adding an interactive element by having the student stack "apples" on each other's heads. She also brought apples as a morning snack for the class. Assistant Principal Megan Flaherty, surprised her son and his classmates by stepping in as their guest reader.
School Board President Amanda Barber played a significant role in the celebration by reading at both Kelly Primary and Turner Intermediate. As a dedicated advocate for education and literacy, she engaged students with lively storytelling and encouraged them to develop a lifelong love of reading. She also shared several books, including one of her favorites, The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka.
Turner Intermediate also hosted guest readers from Pittsburgh Westinghouse Academy, some of whom were Wilkinsburg alumni. The high school students not only read to classes but also engaged in discussions with students about their experiences at Westinghouse and offered advice. The visit was especially meaningful for the sixth graders who will be visiting Westinghouse later this week and attending next year.
Wilkinsburg School District is grateful for all the guest readers who took the time to inspire students and foster a love for literacy. Read Across America Day was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the power of reading, and we look forward to more exciting activities throughout Literacy Week!