New Kensington-Arnold retirees, others volunteer to read to students for Read Across America Week

Debbie Schreckengost hasn’t been inside one of New Kensington-Arnold’s schools since retiring from her maintenance job with the district eight years ago.

An invitation to read to students during Read Across America Week brought her and other retirees to Roy A. Hunt Elementary in Arnold on Wednesday.

An initiative of the National Education Association to encourage reading, National Read Across America Day is Thursday, the birthday of legendary children’s author Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known by his pen name, Dr. Seuss.

Hunt’s third and fourth grade students spent the entire day having guests read to them. Third graders were treated to books by Seuss, while fourth graders had a variety of books read to them.

Inviting retirees in the area back was the idea of third grade teacher Marcia Chicka and fourth grade teacher Jean Nitowski. Chicka said 16 of 25 invitees turned out.

“It’s wonderful so many were willing to come in,” Chicka said. “We have this wealth of knowledge we’re not utilizing. It’s really good for them to see all role models come in and read to our kids.”

Chicka invited Schreckengost with a text message, asking whether she was interested in reading.

“I said sure. It would be a fun thing to get back and see the kids,” said Schreckengost of Arnold, who came with her husband, Steven Taylor, who also retired in 2015 from his maintenance job with the district.

Reading to third graders, Schreckengost said she picked “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!,” which is one her grandchildren enjoy and what she considers to be one of Dr. Seuss’ better books. She had read to two classes and had five more to go.

“It was fun,” she said. “They were very interested in the book.”

Pia Trew of Lower Burrell retired after 27 years as a second and third grade special education teacher. She read “Hop on Pop” to third graders.

“I missed the kids,” she said. “It’s nice to see the children and see old friends.”

Not all the readers were retired educators or district employees. Some, like retired Allegheny County bus driver Brenda Danko of New Kensington, are parents of teachers. Danko was invited by her daughter, Linzy Zarichnak, and read in her third grade classroom.

Zarichnak picked the Seuss book for her mother to read — “Ten Apples Up on Top!”

“My daughter invited me. At first, I didn’t want to go. I’m not a teacher,” Danko said. “I’m having fun doing it. The kids are great. I made them read along with me.”

In 1968, Hunt Elementary was Arnold High School. Linda Jo Dunn graduated from there that year. She went on to teach health and physical education in the district, retiring in 2006.

“I taught many of these teachers,” she said.

Reading to fourth graders, Dunn said they were mostly interested in the book, “What Do Teachers Do After You Leave School.” She found the students to be receptive and courteous.

“You hear so many bad stories about schools. There are a lot of good things,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity to come back. I miss everything. The kids and the staff, that’s what makes the schools.”

Chicka said she hopes to do the event every year, which she said was made possible by everyone in the school.

“I think it will grow,” she said. “I can’t say enough about them coming in. I so appreciate it.”