WGRZ-TV

Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District Superintendent Mark P. Mondanaro noticed the irony of the title of the book he was going to read to third-grade students in Bridget Spitler’s class at Edison Elementary School.  The Superintendent, a former English teacher, was participating in the “Read for the Record” literacy awareness initiative that hoped to break the world record for the most people reading the same book on the same day.

As Mondanaro looked outside Mrs. Spitler’s room on the second floor, the sun was shining, skies were blue without a single cloud overhead, it was 67-degrees, the bedazzled patterned chair he sat on resembled a rainbow, and the book title was more fitting for a Buffalo Blizzard.

“Isn’t it funny that on such a beautiful day I’m reading a book called ‘The Snowy Day?’  And remember kids, I’m the guy who decides whether or not we stay home on snow days,” joked Superintendent Mondanaro, who was joined at Edison Elementary School by fellow administrators Janet Gillmeister, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, and Gerald Stuitje, Assistant Superintendent for Finance.

At Roosevelt Elementary School Human Resources Administrator Christine Matuszak read “The Snowy Day” to students in Katie Turski’s Kindergarten classroom.  At Roosevelt and Edison Elementary Schools parents were encouraged to read with their children all week, to reinforce the importance of reading in the home and at school.

 “We want students and parents to know how important it is to read.   Parents and grandparents should read to children as much as they can.  Cut back on the television a little bit and try to read more.  A nice family activity at dinner-time is to talk about what students read during the day,” said Roosevelt Elementary School Principal Bernadine Moldoch.

“Many in our community were involved in this worthy endeavor, with the goal of strengthening literacy skills amongst our students.  We are enjoying this great event, and making a positive impact on the lives of children,” said Edison Elementary School Librarian Gretchen Baldauf.