Arts & Entertainment

Blackrock School Hosts 26th Annual 'Guest Reader Day'

More than 20 special guests helped students celebrate Reading Week by dropping by to share their favorite storybooks.

 

On Tuesday morning, about 20 educators, community members, Coventry Police personnel, TV personalities and school committee members participated in Blackrock Elementary School's 26-year tradition, "Guest Reader Day".

The event was part of Blackrock's annual Reading Week celebration, which also included "My Favorite Book Day" on Monday, "Build-a-Poem Day" on Wednesday, a Bubbleologist Cultural Arts event and teacher reading swap on Thursday and "Positive Message T-Shirt Day" on Friday to raise money for Books are Wings. Fifth grade teacher Linda Cohen organized much of the event that students look forward to all year.

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To prepare for Guest Reader Day, response cards are sent to potential readers asking if they are available, if they have a preferred grade or classroom (some guest readers are former teachers who enjoy visiting their old classrooms), and if they need a book to read or are bringing one with them.

According to Principal Alicia Castle, students get very excited to receive the response cards back to see who will be joining them for the morning.

Find out what's happening in Coventrywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A number of students are chosen from each grade to guide the guest readers to their assigned classrooms following a walking parade through the entire school. Because this is a very special occasion within the Blackrock School community, students are asked to dress their best that day to make a good impression.

Castle explained that it isn't just the students who spend all year looking forward to the event.

"People ask us when Guest Reader Day will be well before we send out response cards," she said. "They really do look forward to it and enjoy coming back each year."

This year's guest reader list included local orthodontist Dr. William Gordon, Tiogue and Hopkins Hill school principals Louise Seitsinger and Kathy Tancrelle, WJAR meteorologist Kelly Bates, Coventry Police officers Jadine Ferri and Tom Snow, Regional Career & Technical Center Director Lori Ferguson and School Committee Vice-Chair Judi Liner, among more than a dozen other special guests.


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