WEST ORANGE, NJ - West Orange Elementary Schools celebrated Read Across America 2025 during the weeks of March 3 and 10 with guest readers, activities, and more.
This year's theme, "Explore New Worlds Through Reading," highlighted the power of books to "transport readers to different times, places, and perspectives." Read Across America is organized each year by the National Education Association (NEA).
Gregory Elementary School Reading Specialist and Literacy Coach Diana Ferrera explained, "The week was filled with excitement, engagement, and a shared love of reading as our students, staff, and community came together to promote literacy in creative and meaningful ways."
District administration and staff, parents, police, fire, and community guest readers visited elementary school classrooms, sharing their favorite books with students. Students were engaged as the importance of reading was reinforced, and new worlds were discovered.
Decorations filled hallways to celebrate reading. At Gregory, reading days were organized by genre.
"Our hallways came alive with beautifully decorated classroom doors, each representing a different literary genre and book. From mystery and historical fiction to informational and poetry, our students were immersed in the magic of reading," explained Ferrara.
"Each day, we also introduced a different reading strategy and tool to help our students build their literacy skills. By focusing on comprehension techniques, decoding, and fluency, we empowered students to become more confident and capable readers. During our realistic fiction day, students and staff dressed as their favorite storybook characters. This brought literary characters to life and readers were able to “walk in the shoes” of their favorite characters," she added.
Gregory students also enjoyed "Flashlight Friday," where students were able to read books by flashlight.
Hazel and Washington welcomed district supervisors, Mayor Susan McCartney, Superintendent Hayden Moore, town council members, board members, staff, and parents to read to classes.
SEE PHOTOS FROM READ ACROSS AMERICA HERE. Click on the "i" to see who and what school.
ELA Supervisor Beatrice Hanratty at Gregory
Decorated Door - Gregory
Flashlight Friday - Gregory
BOE President Brian Rock at Hazel
Principal Marie DeMaio and Superintendent Hayden Moore at Washington
Township councilperson Michelle Casalino at Washington
