Pine Grove Elementary has a week steeped in Dr. Seuss

BROOKSVILLE

Theodor "Ted" Seuss Geisel would have been 106 years old on March 2, and Pine Grove Elementary School did not overlook his birthday. A week of activities at the school culminated with a Green Eggs and Ham Dr. Seuss celebration on Friday. It began that Monday with Crazy Hat Day, when students were allowed to wear hats to schools. Tuesday was Thing One and Thing Two Day. Students were allowed to wear red shirts or Thing One or Thing Two shirts.

Wednesday was Crazy Socks Day and Thursday was Stuffed Animal Day. Students were allowed to bring stuffed toys to school to hold during reading times.

Friday was Egg Day. Scrambled Eggs Super! was read, and surprises in plastic eggs were distributed in the media center.

The event was sponsored by the PTA and coordinated by PTA president and Pine Grove kindergarten teacher Mary Beth Longcoy. Business partners supported it as well.

For the first hour, green eggs and ham (really) were served and crafting centers were available. Students and their families were invited to make Dr. Seuss things, such as Cat in the Hat hats, picture frames, door hangers and flip books.

Community members, teachers and parents volunteered to read at stations decorated according to the books at each spot.

Assistant principal Debbie Shaw read Green Eggs and Ham on the stage. Teacher Ken Hill and parent Mary Beth McAvoy animated it as Sam-I-Am and the nameless main character, who learns to enjoy green eggs and ham and thanks Sam-I-Am.

Passports were passed out and marked at each station the students visited. Those returning with five visits by the end were included in drawings for door prizes.

And, of course, there was birthday cake.