Read Across America at Pine Grove was celebrated in a BIG WAY. We actually started the day before, when I took five students to Radio Station WCTC, where they read excerpts from Dr. Seuss books on the Bernard Spigner show. (They really made us all very proud.) On March 2,the building was filled with guests and the smell of green eggs and ham permeated the hallways. It was a very special day. Ms. Amato's kindergarten class was the first to have visitors. Pine Grove became a Rutgers annex for a day. Past and present football players arrived and began reading to classes. An RU gymnast was a reader in several classes. The ENTIRE Rutger's Men's Basketball Coaching staff read to many classes. (What a thrill for me!) A former Rutger's basketball manager came to read and even brought her boss from Smith Barney to read.

Freeholder Robert Zaborowski was a reader in Mrs. Gruet's class. The Attorney General of the State of New Jersey, Peter C. Harvey, read "Yertle The Turtle" to all the second graders in the library. The Somerset Prosecutor, Wayne Forest, read "The Big Brag" in Mrs. McCoid's class and then in Mrs. Bialick's class.

In the afternoon, at our annual Read Across America Assembly, the first graders, under the direction of Ms. Beltramba, performed several Dr. Seuss songs. We were entertained with children, under the direction of Michele Reilly, dancing to "A Day For The Cat In The Hat". Eleven children read excerpts from Dr. Seuss books to the entire school population and our distinguished guests. Among the guests were Mrs. Eva Nagy, Mrs. Weisner and several PACER Officers. Lt. Larry Roberts administered the "Reader's Oath" to all in attendance. The United States Post Office unveiled the new Dr. Seuss stamp at our assembly. (What an honor for PGM!)

It was a fun filled, most enjoyable, reading filled day--one the guests, the children and the staff will remember for a long time.

Thanks to everyone for making this day so special. Everyone at Pine Grove helped to make this day so great. We are a very special team!

Sandy Bialick