Barkley Bridge celebrates the importance of reading during Read Across America Week, held annually in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

Mayor Randy Garrison kicked off the week with a read aloud, having all students recite the Reading Pledge. This was accomplished school wide through a virtual Google Meet.

Virtual meets with live readers were scheduled each day for “stop, drop and listen along” segments, including the following guest readers: HCS Board Member Daxton Maze, Chamber of Commerce President Missy Evans, City Councilwoman Virginia Alexander, HCS Superintendent Dr. DeeDee Jones, Police Chief Justin Barley, Hartselle Municipal Judge Ta’Kisha Gholston, HCS Director of Curriculum Dena Mayfield and long-term volunteer and substitute Janadah Sartin.

State Rep. Scott Stadthagen read from the Capitol steps, and Tiffany Little, owner of Gold Star Therapy, used graphics to excite young readers.

HIS Principal Earon Sheats visited each fourth-grade class, reading and easing nervous jitters about the future transition into a new school for fifth grade.

Students were excited to listen to HHS Basketball Coach Faron Key and HHS Football Coach Bryan Moore read and spoke about the importance of player/student teamwork, commitment, perseverance, sportsmanship, character and accountability and how those are valuable traits for successful and productive citizens.

Students dressed up each day according to fun themes. Among those themes, Wednesday was Lorax Day. Classes received materials to make wildflower seed balls to attract pollinators, which will be planted by students later in designated areas around the school. Second-, third- and fourth-grade students sowed lettuce, tomato and sunflower seeds indoors to transplant during the next outdoor classroom workday.

A variety of optional contests celebrated the creativity and resourcefulness of many students at the end of each day: 3Dimensional Art, Book Blurb Commercials, Hartselle Whoville Writing and Seussical Musical Instrument.

Students turned in daily Reading Raffle Tickets for each 20-minute increment of reading accomplished.