Brooklyn Avenue Read Aloud day continues to grow

The Brooklyn Avenue School hosted its fourth annual Read Aloud day on Feb. 9. People of all different professions were invited to read including administrators, board members and a New York state senator.

There were 16 readers in all — one for each of the school’s classes, and each reader brought something different to their respective classroom. Valley Stream South High School Principal Maureen Henry read “The Little Prince” to a class of sixth graders. It was her first time participating in Read Aloud day and said it was a tremendous experience.

“The kids were a wonderful audience,” Henry said. “It was a wonderful chance for me to start to interact with my potential students for next year. The kids were very eager and they had some time to ask me some questions about coming to South.”

Johanna Owen, secretary to the superintendent of schools for District 24, read “Bullies Never Win” to a kindergarten class. Owen said the children were very involved in the reading and couldn’t wait to talk about the story afterwards. They had a discussion about why no one should ever be a bully and how the children would feel if someone bullied them. Owen selected the book after previewing it for her grandchildren a few days earlier.

School librarian Stephanie Cuozzo organized the event and said planning started at the end of November. “I think the best part of it is we bring in community members that have really made a difference,” Cuozzo said, “including our staff, of course, and the students can really aspire to do well in school. I think it’s a great learning opportunity.”

Brooklyn Avenue School Principal Dr. Scott Comis individually addressed the guest readers prior to the start of the event to make them feel welcome.

“It’s an honor to have the readers take time out of their busy schedules and contribute to the community,” Comis said. One of the readers making his Read Aloud day debut was Sen. Dean Skelos who read to a fourth grade class.

Superintendent Dr. Edward Fale was grateful for Skelos’ participation. “It’s wonderful for students to be in the same room and speak with the senate majority leader and the second most powerful official in state government,” Fale said of Skelos. “The community members who were here were all highly supportive of our education system. It sends such a signal to the children that people in all walks of life and of all ages find reading to be important.”

Co-President of the PTA, Desmond Ross, provided the readers with breakfast and made the visitors feel welcome. Comis said the PTA has been extraordinarily supportive of Read Aloud day. “In addition to our readers and visitors, they take time out of their schedules too to ensure there is hospitality,” Comis said of PTA members.

According to Fale, Read Aloud day has grown each year in terms of people who participate and in terms of how enthusiastically the children greet it. Comis said the students were very excited in anticipation of the readers coming in and the day is an inspiration for students to want to further their education and careers.

“We look forward to continuing this tradition at the Brooklyn Avenue School and welcoming back our readers,” Comis said, “in addition to the wonderful support of our board members.”