Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, March 02, 2009

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UK mascot Scratch and kindergarten teacher Mel Oldham led the Dr. Seuss pep rally at Liberty Elementary on Read Across America Day.

Liberty Elementary School was awash in a sea of striped “cat-in-the-hat” toppers – purple and yellow, orange and black, green and white, even rainbows – as students kicked off Read Across America Day with a pep rally to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

“Our teachers see the value of instilling good reading habits early on,” principal Vickie Burke said Monday. “That love of reading will carry children far.”

For many kids, the love begins with Dr. Seuss.

“There’s a (library) shelf that’s totally empty because everybody came and got the Dr. Seuss books,” said media specialist Joni Maloney. “It’s so fun with all the nonsense words and colorful characters. The kids love hearing it. It’s so lyrical.”

Local celebrities visited classrooms across Fayette County to read Dr. Seuss books. At Liberty, guests included sportscaster Dave Baker reading “The Foot Book” and former mayor Teresa Issac with “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.”

Superintendent Stu Silberman dropped by to read one of his personal favorites, “The Best Pet of All” by David La Rochelle. Silberman also talked about his dog, Sam, with the kids. “He’s kind of different because he has a beard and big eyebrows. And all Sam can think about is one thing – treats,” he told youngsters gathered in the library.

Liberty’s pep rally opened with students rapping their version of “Green Eggs and Ham.” Later, UK mascot Scratch danced through the crowd to a musical “The Cat in the Hat.” A dozen cheerleaders from Bryan Station High School were also on hand, urging the kids to R-E-A-D!

Elementary schools across the district also planned activities to celebrate reading, including Arlington, which honored kids who met or exceeded their reading goals; Lansdowne, where first lady Jane Beshear visited; and Maxwell Spanish Immersion Magnet School, which served up a breakfast of green eggs. At Northern Elementary, the festivities continue all week. Tuesday is favorite hat day, followed by “Wacky” Wednesday. On Thursday, the students will dress as Dr. Seuss characters.