Alta Vista Elementary to host second Reading Street

Family members welcome to attend Dec. 12 event, as long as they bring books to read, staff says

Circus Arts Conservatory clowns Karen Bell (with book) and Robin Eurich join Clifford the Big Red Dog and other guests at the first Reading Street at Alta Vista Elementary, held in December 2016. Photo courtesy Sarasota County Schools

On Dec. 12, students at Alta Vista Elementary in Sarasota will open their favorite books for the school’s second sidewalk “read-in,” known as Reading Street, the Sarasota County School District has announced.

The event will start at 10 a.m., a news release says.

The “streets,” with names such as “Dr. Seuss Street” and “Roald Dahl Drive” (walkways around the campus temporarily named for famous authors of children’s books) “will be lined with students and staff, cozying up with a good book to read,” the release explains. “Teachers, administrators, support staff and guests will come as their favorite storybook characters for this community-building event,” the release adds.

Children bring blankets and pillows to get comfortable while “sharing the love of reading with classmates and adults,” the release continues.

Students from Pine View School, who are Alta Vista’s “book buddies” in the “Up with Books” program, will participate as well. “Family members of students are welcome to attend, as long as they bring a good book to read,” the release points out.

“We want everyone to join in the fun,” said Assistant Principal Holly Heim in the release. “It’s such a beautiful sight to see all of our teachers and students with a book in hand. Cultivating a love of reading in young children is so important — and Reading Street paves the way!”