FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 28, 2017
ATLANTA – Thursday, March 2, 2017, Dr. Seuss’ 113th birthday, will mark the 20th year of the NEA’s (National Education Association) Read Across America, an event that focuses on the critical need to instill a love of reading in our children. The event’s state sponsor, the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE), through its many local affiliates and partners will be conducting activities throughout the week in schools, libraries, and businesses throughout Georgia.
“This is one of my favorite times of year,” said Chapman, who will be visiting schools in the metro area to participate in their reading activities. “The programs our public schools and libraries put together show a vast range of creativity that helps to reinforce the premise of the Read Across America, which is instilling a love for reading in our children at an early age.”
NEA’s Read Across America began in 1997 as a “Green Eggs and Ham” read-in. The event has since grown to become an annual national testament to the power and importance of reading. The GAE again anticipates thousands of Georgians -- boys and girls, men and women, and maybe even a few pets here and there -- to don the familiar red and white striped, stove-piped hats that highlight this beloved annual effort during the weeks leading up to and after Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
To become involved in your own community, the GAE recommends contacting your local public school and/or library to see if they have a need for readers for their events. National event partners such as Barnes and Noble Bookstores and Target also schedule events. Check respective websites for details or visit www.nea.org/readacross. See what others are planning or tell us what your family, school, or business, is planning by visiting: www.readacrossamerica.org/pledges and choosing Georgia.
Chapman, who will be reading to schoolchildren at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta (275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr., NW, Atlanta, GA 30313) at 11 a.m., urges everyone to share their Read Across America pictures and experiences at #GARead17.
They can also visit GAE on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/georgiaassociationofeducators and
www.twitter.com/georgiaeducator, respectively.
Contact: Kevin Pearson, 678-837-1129, kevin.pearson@gae.org
