TEXARKANA, Ark. - Socially-distanced first grade students gathered at the Trice Elementary lunchroom Tuesday morning to listen in on Mayor Allen Brown, as he read to them to celebrate National Read Across America Day.
As a part of the day meant to encourage students to start reading at a young age, Allen read Dr. Seuss's "Fox in Socks," to the children and was asked questions by them afterwards.
After answering the hard-hitting questions including what his favorite color was, in addition to his second-favorite color, Allen spoke to them about the importance of reading regularly.
"You know how important it is to learn how to read? Real important," Brown told the students. "You have to know how to read to get a job, make money, buy a car, have a boyfriend or girlfriend. You have to know how to read to be successful."
Brown also explained to the students what his job as mayor entails, describing his daily responsibilities and how reading comes into play.
Third-grade Teacher Megan Briggs, who coordinated the event, said this was part of a month-long effort to stress the importance and benefits of reading early and often.
"Reading is just so important," Briggs said. "Especially when you get into the upper grades, because math and science becomes reading. Once you get behind in reading, not only does the self-esteem lack in the older grades if they can't read well, but they also can't apply themselves as well in the community. So, we just try to instill the love of reading early."
Briggs said this month will also include a "Pie a teacher in the face" contest, where the student with the most Accelerated Reader points gets to - you guessed it - pie a teacher in the face. They also will count how many books the school has read for the month and Duct Tape Principal Tracey Boyles to the wall, with each book read counting for one piece of tape.
All these wacky themes come in an effort to incentivize their students to become bookworms, because after all, what student wouldn't want to Duct Tape their principal to the wall?
"Reading carries you through life," she said. "We read emails. We communicate through social media now. Our world has become this gigantic ball of reading. And if they don't know how to do that, then it just becomes one of those struggles where they may lack confidence and their careers may not speak for themselves. So we really wanted to focus for a whole month on this."