Inver Grove Heights Brings Authors, Celebrities, Money to Schools During February 'Read-a-thon'

The following is a press release from Inver Grove Heights Community Schools.

On March 2, readers across the country will join in celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday by picking up a book and reading. The National Education Association (NEA) instituted Read Across America (which always falls on Seuss’ birthday) 15 years ago to motivate children and teens to read through events, partnerships and reading resources.

District 199 schools have long celebrated Read Across America Day by hosting guest authors, inviting local celebrities to read to students and participating in read-a-thons. This year Inver Grove Heights Middle School is determined to reach a goal of $20,000 in its month-long read-a-thon. Teachers are asking for 100-percent participation and hope to have each student raise a minimum of $10 in pledges. The school has also teamed up with local businesses, which have contributed almost $7,000 toward the library fund. Numerous businesses also donated prizes to motivate young readers.

You can help, too! From 5-8 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month (Feb. 21), 10-percent of Cahill Dairy Queen’s profits will go to Inver Grove Heights Middle School in support of the library. The school also has a Razoo account so that anyone can contribute. Just visit: www.razoo.com/story/ighmsreadathon to donate.

Each Friday in February, a special group of readers will visit Inver Grove Heights Middle School to discuss how literacy has affected their lives and share a story with students. Guests include T.C. Bear, University of Minnesota athletes, the North Star Roller Girls, local celebrities, high school students, the Simley danceline, students’ relatives.

Local celebrities include Lauren Casey of WCCO Weather, Elizabeth Ries of Twin Cities Live, Buoa Xiong of KARE 11 News, KARE Reporter Janel Klein, Falen of KDWB, Miss Minnesota USA Danielle Hooper, Commissioner of Education Brenda Cassellius, State Representative Joe Atkins, Vikings cheerleaders, Miss Inver Grove Heights Kassi Giles and Inver Grove Heights Princess Gina Soukey.

Authors Geoff Herbach (Stupid Fast), Sheila O'Connor (Sparrow Road) and New York Times Best Selling Author Michael Hall (My Heart is Like a Zoo) will also read to students. Friends of the Inver Glen Library, Thomson Reuters, Target of Inver Grove Heights, and the Inver Grove Heights Middle School PTSA are sponsoring the author visits to the school. The Rotary Club of SSP/IGH and Roberts Funeral Home are donating the author books.

Inver Grove Heights Mayor George Tourville signed a proclamation asking citizens to assure that every child is in a safe place reading with a caring adult on March 1, the day before Seuss’ birthday.

As the NEA’s website states, “You’re never too old, too wacky, or too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child.” So pick up a book I say, without delay! Get your reading started, by practicing today!