(March 5, 2007) -- Students at ELB's Partrick Henry Elementary School donned Cat in the Hat hats and joined in reading books by the late Dr. Seuss on March 2 (his 103rd birthday) as part of "Read Across America Day."

Photo source: 5th district Council office

Photo source: 5th district Council office

The kidlets were assisted by guest-readers LB Fire Chief Dave Ellis (accompanied by 27 LB Firefighters) and 5th district Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske.

The Councilwoman and Firefighters headed to classrooms where they read a book donated by the Teachers Association of Long Beach.

Photo source: 5th district Council office

As we've previously reported, Councilwoman Schipske is TALB's General Counsel and yes, as we also note on this page, she emailed these photos to us.

Photo source: 5th district Council office

Fire Chief Dave Ellis makes his way through this book...more enjoyable than a City Council report.

Councilwoman Schipske supervises while kids take in the words from one of LBFD's finest.

Photo source: 5th district Council office

Later that day on her internet blog, Councilwoman Schipske wrote:

Learning to read is one of the most important things a child will ever learn to do. Celebrating reading through different events is a fun way to introduce children to the world of books, words and reading. Mastering basic reading skills helps motivate children to learn. The more children read, the better they read. And the more they read outside of school, the better they do in school. Continued exposure to reading and vocabulary encourages learning and the expansion of new ideas.