Members of the Burbank community visited every Roosevelt Elementary School class from Kindergarten through fifth grade on Monday, March 17, for the annual Community Read Day.
Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy and Councilmember Jess Talamantes were joined by Board of Education member Ted Bunch, City Treasurer Debbie Kukta, businessman Michael Cusumano and KFI Radio personality Tim Conway, Jr., in addition to several other people from the community, including Realtors, City employees, BUSD staff and counselors.
“Once again, Community Read Day was a huge success,” commented event organizer and Kindergarten teacher Linda Walmsley. “The students were smiling, the readers were smiling and everyone felt that their day was enriched by learning from each other.”
“The children enjoyed listening to the reader, but I think hearing about their careers and how reading makes them successful was the best part,” added Walmsley. “Councilman Jess Talamantes, who is a former firefighter, was a huge hit telling his group about his days keeping Burbank safe.”
“Audrey Hanson, a former school board member, delighted the children with her English accent and attention to detail when she read,” she continued.
“The fifth grade classes had middle school principals and counselors reading to them and then they had discussions about the transition to middle school,” said Walmsley. “The kids asked questions about the day and the curriculum that is coming their way next year.”
“In Mrs. Wills’ Kindergarten, the children learned about being a successful businessman from Michael Cusumano and then they had a chance to show him that they were good spellers,” she said.
“It is such a good opportunity for children to learn about the people that make our city so great and for them to know that reading is key to success in adulthood,” Walmsley concluded.
