Local Luminaries Celebrate Books

By Larissa Lytwyn

In honor of National Children’s Book Week, Hawley Elementary School recently invited guest readers including First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff, former superintendent John Reed, Youth Officer Dana Schubert, and school board members Andrew Buzzi, Earl Gordon, Paul Mangiafico, and Lisa Schwartz to unleash students’ imaginations through books.

“This is the fourth year we’ve had our guest readers here at Hawley,” said lead teacher Judy Pesce. “It’s wonderful to see so many diverse faces from the community.”

In addition to local politicians and school administrators, guest readers included Hawley PTA president Melanie Scott, former guidance counselor Jack Quinlan, and retired teachers Nancy Martin, Erin Quinlan, Caroline Stokes, Mary Tomanio, Chuck Mann, and Grace Parker.

“The retired teachers, especially, seem to enjoy being back in the classroom,” Ms Pesce said afterwards.

Hawley reading specialist Karen Yanusas selected titles attuned to each grade level. The schoolwide event included about 20 classrooms, Ms Pesce said.

Kindergarteners enjoyed Madelenka’s Dog by Peter Sis, first graders, The Beeman, second graders Superhero Max by Lawrence David, and third graders Dream Carver by Diana Cohn. Fourth graders were treated to Jonah Winter’s Frida, the biography of the renowned Mexican artist.