Fredonia Elementary celebrates Read Across America Day with community readers

Fredonia Elementary School proudly joined the nationwide celebration of Read Across America Day on March 3, 2025, with a heartwarming and inspiring event that brought together students, staff and community members in celebration of literacy. This annual event, part of the National Education Association’s campaign to encourage lifelong reading habits, was made especially meaningful by the participation of five dedicated community volunteers who visited classrooms to share the joy of reading.

This year, Fredonia Elementary was honored to welcome guest readers from across the community, including Tonya Johnson, a longtime supporter of local education; Lisa Findlay and Sheena Cram, librarians from the Fredonia town library; Shelley Christensen, also a longtime supporter of local education; and Raymond Christensen, President of the Fredonia School Board. Each reader brought stories to life in our classrooms, engaging students with warmth, enthusiasm, and a love for books that was contagious.

From kindergarten through sixth grade, students were captivated by the stories and delighted to see familiar faces from their town stepping into the role of storyteller. The excitement was especially strong among our youngest learners. At Fredonia Elementary, fostering a love of reading begins early. Teachers work tirelessly to build foundational literacy skills and enthusiasm for books, particularly in kindergarten through second grade. Thanks to their dedication and consistent instruction, most of our first and second graders are now reading entire books at their levels independently - a remarkable milestone that reflects both their growth and the school’s strong commitment to literacy.

Reading is not only a fundamental academic skill but also a gateway to imagination, empathy and lifelong learning. By instilling a love of reading early on, Fredonia Elementary is helping children develop critical thinking, confidence, and curiosity about the world around them.

Events like Read Across America Day remind us how deeply connected schools and communities can be when working together to support children’s education. With the success of this year’s celebration, Fredonia Elementary looks forward to continuing this cherished tradition for years to come. The school extends its heartfelt thanks to all community members who participated and encourages everyone to keep reading aloud, sharing stories and helping our children grow - because when we read together, we grow together.