Celebrities to help students in reading program this week

By Emily Richmond (contact)

Monday, March 1, 2004 | 9:56 a.m.

Showgirls, a Super Bowl champion and Mayor Oscar Goodman will be guest stars at Clark County School District campuses this week as part of a statewide event to promote the importance of reading.

As part of Nevada Reading Week, a variety of local figures are scheduled to read stories to classes. Cast members from the Tropicana's "Folies Bergere" were expected to perform the Dr. Seuss classic "The Cat in the Hat" at Fyfe Elementary School this morning. North Las Vegas Mayor Michael Montandon will read to fifth graders Tuesday at Brian Cram Middle School.

Teddy Bruschi, a linebacker with for New England Patriots, was invited to visit Watson Elementary School in North Las Vegas this morning by a parent and former schoolmate, literacy specialist Lorna Tobias said. Bruschi is scheduled to read to a fifth grade and a second grade class. Tobias said she recommended he read "The Night I Followed the Dog," because it is appropriate for both age groups.

Having a professional athlete like Bruschi visit can have a significant impact on children, Tobias said.

"A lot of kids think they don't have to come to school and learn because they're going to be big sports stars," Tobias said. "This will show them even if you get to the NFL you still have to be able to read."

The school district is in the midst of two major initiatives to improve student reading skills. The first calls for every child to be reading at grade level by the third grade. The second, known as "Reading 180," is an intensive reading program aimed at middle school students. The program will expanded into several high schools for the 2004-05 academic year.

At some schools principals agree to carry out unusual tasks -- such as kissing a pig or shaving their head -- in exchange for students reading more books. Decker Elementary School Principal Sharyn Buck has vowed to spend the day dressed as the campus mascot, a blue dinosaur, if her students reach their reading goals.

"Everyone is constantly coming up with new ways to motivate the students," Sue Hendricks, the district's reading week coordinator, said. "It's important that we create lifelong readers."

Nevada Reading Week coincides with the March 2 birthday of children's book author Theodore Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, who would have been 100 years old this year.