Oakdale Elementary Hosts 'Celebrity Readers' for Read Across America Day

Created some 16 years ago, to celebrate the joy of reading, the Read Across America Program has grown by strides each year.

From the White House, to Hollywood stars, to thousands of schools across the country, the NEA boasts of more than 45 million Americans, young and old, now participating in this event. In recognition of this wonderful way, to have her children develop a love of reading, Oakdale Elementary School Principal, Holli Armstrong, invited a group of local Dedham “celebrities” to read at her school.

From all across the town, these Celebrity Readers sat in on the classrooms of our 1st to 5th graders, and proved how an entire community can come together. 

Ms. Armstrong, herself an avid reader, has held this tradition at the school for a number of years now. Along with librarian, Meghan Nels, and reading specialists Kristen Cannon and Nina Mancinelli; Ms. Armstrong adheres to the belief that “reading is fundamental.” By getting their boys and girls interested in reading, the staff at Oakdale believes that you can “ignite a child's imagination” by opening a book. 

This year's Dedham Celebrities included a sampling of School Administrators, local businessmen, Town Officers, and Elected Officials.

Quietly, we walked the hallways of this local school with Principal Armstrong, peering in to classrooms along the way. Dozens upon dozens of children sat attentively, listening to the stories unfold, from the books that our Town Leaders had brought along to share with our children. It certainly goes to prove what Ms. Armstrong has said, that “giving a little, goes a long way.”