Press-Republican

Local News

March 2, 2010

Seussical celebration at E-town-Lewis

ELIZABETHTOWN — Elizabethtown-Lewis Elementary School celebrated the legacy of Theodor Geisel on Tuesday with a cornucopia of activities.

The Seussical celebration was part of a nationwide "Read Across America" effort supported by the National Education Association, with First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and members of Congress among those participating.

Born March 2, 1904, in Springfield., Mass., Geisel graduated from Dartmouth and then attended Oxford with the intention of acquiring a doctorate in literature.

Though the advanced degree was not obtained, the appellation was included, along with his mother's maiden name, when he started writing under the pseudonym Dr. Seuss.

Although many of Seuss's books are considered nonsensical, there is often a message.

"The Lorax" has an environmental theme as it tackles over-consumption, and the "Butter Battle Book" advances anti-war thoughts. The latter is the antithesis of Geisel's cartoons preceding World War II, in which he lambasted the isolationist policies and advocated U.S. intervention against Germany and later Japan.

Activities at ELCS included a fifth-grade readers' theater production of "Daisy-Head Mayzie," making Cat in the Hat attire, decorating Sneeches star cookies, an oobleck interaction after hearing about Bartholomew's adventures with the substance, as well as artistic and literary interpretations of the pseudo-doctor's vast bibliography.

The day's festivities culminated with each class participating in a version of "Seussical the Musical," coordinated by guidance counselor Gigi Carroll.

Seussical regalia was evident on teachers, administration, staff members and, of course, the children.

Administrative assistant Lori Cutting applied her confectionary skills by baking cookies for the entire Elementary School.

Reading teacher Courtney Aloi, who coordinated the efforts, said the idea was to present a diversion from the structured reading curriculum.

"Students often forget that reading can and should be enjoyable. Dr. Seuss books are a wonderful way of doing this."

Superintendent Gail Else said they were "celebrating reading and Dr. Seuss and his fine books. The kids seemed to be mesmerized by the activities and are having a ball."

E-mail Alvin Reiner at: rondackrambler@yahoo.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Breaking News
New Today
  • Recovery Center to hold open house

    Smashing stereotypes and eliminating the stigma of mental-health issues has led to formation of a new place in Franklin County for clients to get wrap-around services to help them rejoin the community.

    Updated: 3 hours
Local News
  • Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts

    The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.

    Updated Feb 13, 2012 7:22 am 1 Photo 1 Link
  • One injured in Plattsburgh house fire

    A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 2:28 am
  • Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart

    Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 2:28 am 1 Photo
  • Love between the lines

    Dr. Nell Irvin Painter of New Russia and Plattsburgh State's Dr. J.W. Wiley share historical and current viewpoints on interracial loving, American-style. INCLUDES VIDEO

    Updated Feb 13, 2012 4:38 pm 2 Photos 1 Video
  • NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition

    NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years

    Updated Feb 13, 2012 11:17 am 4 Photos 1 Slideshow 1 Video
  • Cheerleading photos (2/12/12)

    Updated Feb 13, 2012 6:23 am
  • Tentative contract reached with officers

    The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.

    Updated Feb 13, 2012 7:21 am 1 Link
  • Lookback: Feb. 13-19

    News stories from around the region from 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago this week.

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 2:28 am 1 Photo
  • Of Interest: Feb. 13, 2012

    Peru Central School Board to hold budget discussion; Dannemora to discuss highway post; Beekmantown School Board invites budget input; Willsboro School Board to discuss policies; Chazy School Board to discuss budget; SLCS Board to appoint clerk pro-tem; Keeseville Zoning Board cancels meeting; Elizabethtown-Lewis School Board to work on budget.

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 2:28 am
  • Gourds' shapes create interesting canvas

    Georgette Bacon's gourd art is on display through March 10 at Foothills ARTSociety in Malone.

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 2:26 am 3 Photos
  • February 12, 2012
  • NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition

    NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 9:09 pm 4 Photos
  • One injured in Plattsburgh house fire

    A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.

    Updated Feb 12, 2012 6:36 pm
  • Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart

    Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 3:47 pm 1 Photo
  • Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts

    The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 2:54 pm
  • Tentative contract reached with officers

    The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 2:54 pm
  • Attempted-murder trial set

    The case against Robert J. McCann, who is charged with trying to kill his former girlfriend at a secluded Westville site, begins Tuesday in Franklin County Court.

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 2:28 am 1 Photo
  • A historic battle for interracial marriage

    Forty-five years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all remaining state bans on interracial marriage in Loving v. Virginia.

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 2:28 am 3 Photos
  • Fireworks to close weekend carnival

    The final day of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is filled with activities and events. INCLUDES VIDEO

    Updated Feb 12, 2012 7:14 am 6 Photos 1 Video

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up
Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight 'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48 Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party 79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport