Burlingame, CA…California’s public school educators will join a nationwide celebration of reading on Friday, March 2, as they meet up with parents, city officials, and celebrities at events statewide for the National Education Association’s 21st annual “Read Across America” extravaganza. Millions of people across the nation will take part in the reading celebration, as will thousands of California educators and students. The event is always held on or near the March 2 birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss, Theodor Seuss Geisel.

“When children discover the joys of reading, they discover the joys of learning and develop skills that will last a lifetime,” said Eric C. Heins, president of the 325,000-member California Teachers Association. “Reading skills are the foundation of all learning.”

In addition, CTA is celebrating reading year-round with its California Reads project. This project includes teacher-recommended books for all age groups that are also recommended for reading events on Friday. To see outstanding books – and to read tips in eight languages on how to make children better readers – get the full story about California Reads, along with reading tips, a poster, bookmarks, and this year’s highlighted books, at www.cta.org/raa.

Below is a sampling of confirmed California events on Friday, March 2, unless other dates noted:

SAMPLING OF CALIFORNIA READ ACROSS AMERICA EVENTS

Events with CTA Officers on Friday, March 2:

REDONDO BEACH: Starting at 1 p.m. Friday, March 2, CTA President Eric C. Heins will read to first- and second-grade students at Madison Elementary, 2200 Mackay Lane, Redondo Beach, 90278. Laurin Mayeno, author of “One of a Kind, Like Me/Unico Como Yo,” will also be reading to students. CTA Contact: Frank Wells at 562-708-5425.

GLENDALE: Starting at 8:30 a.m. Friday, CTA Secretary-Treasurer David Goldberg will join the reading celebrations at Horace Mann Elementary, 501 E. Acacia Ave., Glendale, in Glendale Unified School District. CTA Contact: Frank Wells at 562-708-5425.

Sampling of Northern California Read Across America Events:

SACRAMENTO: At 9 a.m. Thursday, March 1, CTA President Eric C. Heins will accept a special resolution about literacy and Read Across America day on behalf of CTA in the Assembly chambers at the Capitol. The resolution is from Assembly Member Tony Thurmond. CTA Contact: Claudia Briggs at 916-296-4087.

SAN FRANCISCO: From 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, 60 volunteers will read to students at Sunset Elementary, 1920 41st Avenue (at Ortega Street), San Francisco, 94116, a National Blue Ribbon School for 2017. This event continues a tradition that brings scores of city dignitaries together every year to honor the love of reading. The “Read Aloud Day” will include Dr. Vincent Matthews, Superintendent of SFUSD, district administrators, San Francisco Police Chief William Scott, Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White, Supervisor Katy Tang, and many others. Books will include “Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham” as well as works by other authors. Contact: Principal Sophie Lee at 415-759-2760.

ALAMEDA: All day Friday, many exciting reading events are taking place at Bay Farm Elementary, 200 Aughinbaugh Way, Alameda, 94502. A ceremony starting at 8:20 a.m. involves students taking the “readers oath,” and students will be doing a Dr. Seuss “Green Eggs and Ham Flash Mob” to open the day. More information is here, including links for students to post online about their favorite Dr. Seuss books. It’s also Pajama Day. Contacts: Teacher Sheryl Sheppard or Principal Babs Freitas at 510-748-4010.

NEWARK: From 9:30-10:30 a.m. Friday, several guest readers will entertain kids at John F. Kennedy Elementary, 35430 Blackburn Drive, Newark, 94560. Students are dressing up as Dr. Seuss characters and there’s a door decorating contest. Contact: Principal Pamela Hughes at 510-818-3400.

REDDING: A community “Green Eggs and Ham” breakfast will be served from 7:15-8 a.m. Friday at Shasta Meadows Elementary, 2825 Yana Ave., Redding, 96002. Teachers will be dressing up as well-known characters from various Dr. Seuss books. Prizes will be awarded to students who read the most books in a pirate-themed contest. Contact: Enterprise Elementary Teachers Association President Amy Howland at 530-945-1190.

SALINAS: Guest readers from the community will read Dr. Seuss and other books all day Friday to classes at Boronda Meadows Elementary, 915 Larkin St., Salinas, 93907. The readings, from 8:40 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., will be followed by fun classroom activities related to the books. Contact: Principal Susana Mancera at 831-784-5400.

Sampling of Central and Southern California Read Across America Events:

COMPTON: Many TV and movie actors are scheduled to read Friday at Tibby K-8 School, 1432 W. Poplar St., Compton, 90220, a California Distinguished School and a National Blue Ribbon School. Actors from “Hawaii Five-O” and “Code Black” are included. Readings will go from about 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Teachers are doing literacy events in their classrooms, and Dr. Seuss movies will be showing in the library. Contact: Principal Ontrece Ellerbe at 310-898-6370.

BURBANK: Burbank Teachers Association (BTA) President Diana Abasta will be reading to second-grade students from 8:45-10 a.m. on Friday at Jefferson Elementary, 1900 N. 6th St., Burbank, 91504. Other guest readers will be attending. The BTA is donating one of the CTA-recommended California Reads program books to each library in Burbank Unified for Read Across America. Contact: BTA President Diana Abasta at 818-469-3103.

SAN DIEGO: Walker Elementary School, 9225 Hillery Drive, San Diego, is holding reading events all week. On Friday, March 2, the school hosts a special Student VIP Luncheon starting at 11:40 a.m. for students who showed the most growth in reading skills. It’s also “Twin Day” at the school on Friday. On Thursday, March 1, the public is invited to a 4-7 p.m. book fair fundraiser for Walker Elementary at the local Barnes and Noble store. Contacts: Teacher Grace Nall or Principal Justin Phillips at 858-987-5100.

SIMI VALLEY: On Saturday, March 3, the Simi Educators Association and the Simi Valley Public Library team up to present a “Cutting Loose with Dr. Seuss” reading event at the local library, 2969 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley, 93063. Activities being held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. include readings by educators and community members, crafts for children, performances by students, visits by Dr. Seuss characters, and door prizes being awarded. Contact: Simi Educators Association President Amanda Hogan at 805-526-5668.

BAKERSFIELD: On Thursday afternoon, March 1, Bakersfield City School District educators will hold “Read 2 Children” Day at homeless shelters and community centers like the Boys and Girls Club after school. Teachers will read to children and hand out free books they’ve been collecting. Contact: Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association President Steve Comstock at 661-327-4567.

MADERA: Local community leaders will read all day starting at 8:30 a.m. Friday at John Adams Elementary, 1822 National Ave., Madera, 93637. Students are invited to wear their favorite hats, and kindergarteners will stage a 2 p.m. parade. The events cap a week of celebrating reading in the district. Contact: Principal Kevin Gregor at 559-674-4631.

CALEXICO: On Wednesday, March 7, members of Associated Calexico Teachers will participate in a Family Night promoting reading. The event is 6-8 p.m. March 7 inside the Enrique Camarena Memorial Public Library, 850 Encinas Ave., Calexico, 92231. Teachers from Calexico Unified School District will be helping with activities, including face painting, reading, arts and crafts. Contact: Sandra Teran at 760-996-8563.

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The 325,000-member California Teachers Association is affiliated with the 3 million-member National Education Association.