GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (March 4, 2014)– The Dr. Seuss-themed “Cat-a-Van” reading tour made a stop Tuesday atGrand Rapids Public Schools’ Parent University, 1400 Fuller NE.
Hundreds of GRPS students from 10 schools donned the red-and-white striped hat from “The Cat in the Hat” for the read-in event with the famous feline from Dr. Seuss’ book. Schools participating in the event were selected based on an attendance challenge, according to a release.
“Cat-a-Van” is a multi-state reading tour organized by the National Education Association and Dr. Seuss Enterprises as part of the annual Read Across America celebration.
According to a release, this is the 17th year of the reading tour. Roughly 45 million young readers participate each year.
Delta Dental of Michigan sponsored the Michigan portion of the tour, and the NEA is providing books and oral health items to students along its stops in the state. Participating schools also receive a grant for library books.
Participating GRPS schools in descending order from first to 10th place, based on their performance in the attendance challenge:
- Gerald R. Ford Middle School
- Grand Rapids Montessori Public School
- North Park Montessori Academy
- Southwest Community Campus
- Burton Elementary School
- Buchanan Elementary School
- C. A. Frost Environmental Science Academy
- Sibley Elementary School
- Shawmut Hills Elementary School
- Congress Elementary School
