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Celebrities abound at Old River Elementary
Topics: Education, Old River Elementary, Read Across America
Posted by Liane Tue Apr 15, 2008 16:34:12 PDT
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0 responses 1 comment

You may not have caught it on "Extra" or "The Insider," but Thursday, April 4^th marked the premiere of Old River Elementary’s Annual Celebrity Reader Day.  The newest PBVUSD school may only be in its first year, but Old River Elementary is probably already a familiar name to many -- it was featured in a previous Southwest Voice as the campus celebrated with an official 2007 school dedication.

 

Nicole Curry-Bownds, "Executive Producer," started rolling out the reader red carpet early in the school year, as she is keenly aware that our celebrities lead very busy lives. 

 

“I think it is just great that our local community members take the time out of their schedule to give back to the students.  The kids absolutely adore them, and the fact that they take the time from their own hectic workday means so much,” she said.

 

Bakersfield’s very own Mayor Harvey Hall arrived bright and early, reading, greeting and continuously having to pose for the paparazzi!  KERO TV staff was hot on his tail, with Doug DeRoo, Melissa Vreeman, Gregg Johnson and Steve Taylor not only reading to the students, but also featuring the event (and the mayor!) on the evening news. 

 

The guest list read like an Oscar party as Student Council members escorted representatives from the District Attorney’s office, PBVUSD Superintendent Kip Hearron, Board of Trustees Linda Brenner, various district staff members including principals and former principals, all taking the time to share a good book with a room full of eager listeners.  Big hits with the younger students were readers accompanied by their puppet companions: Omnipresent Puppet Theater’s Don Kruvska, Calvary Chapel Westbrook’s Kelli Espiritu, and Kern County Library's Sherry Wade.  Kern County Fire Department Dennis Thompson and Paul Gutierrez had their audiences "fired up"!  Bakersfield Police Department’s D.A.R.E. Officer Miller and Officer Morphis, accompanied by special K-9 dog, Maximus, thoroughly impressed their fans as well.  County employee Aaron Ellis of Employers Training Resources was also on the scene.

 

Old River parent volunteers were on hand as assistant directors, and some even to sport their physician’s coat and stethoscope or their banking attire, and share a good book with a classroom or two.  Librarian, Rosie Halcomb, was gracious enough to donate her library to host the venue and help readers select age and personality appropriate books to read.  Favorite books this year were Skippyjon Jones, Mr. Wolf’s Pancakes, and the classic, Fox in Socks.  Just ask The Southwest Voice’s own Dana Martin, who was fabulous enough to read this to five different classrooms.  The book is no easy feat!

 

Primary students were later seen with both a gleam in their eye and a Condors’ poster in hand as they hoped to catch just one more glimpse of Baby Cal.  “There she is!” they could be heard shouting, only to be equally delighted to see Kern Schools Federal Credit Union’s very own Rocky Raccoon making his rounds.  Afternoon kindergarteners were not forgotten – they were treated to a story from their very own – Principal Mike Boles.

 

The day was more than just a special treat, more than just a chance to catch some of our community leaders at their best.  The day also delivered an educational experience, often for the teachers, students and the readers.   Sixth graders from Mr. Morrissey’s class were enlightened on the makings, the cost, and the bilingual skills of a BPD K-9 Unit dog.  German Shepherd Maximus showed his talent by finding and shredding a towel in seconds flat.  “He could jump as high as our teacher!” the kids remarked.  Students in Mr. Prow’s class (and more) learned that the Southwest Voice would love to receive their coverage of community events such as this.

 

Think you have what it takes to be a celebrity reader at your child’s school?  Just repeat three times:  Through three cheese trees three free fleas flew… you can do it!  See you on the red carpet!

 

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Comment From: javamommy

Great story Liane!