Entering Kindergarten Read Aloud

Superintendent Dr. Giarrizzo Reads to Entering Kindergarteners

On May 15th, over 60 entering North Shore kindergarteners gathered around Superintendent Dr. Peter Giarrizzo in the high school library to participate in their first Superintendent Read Aloud at the North Shore Schools. Mr. Greg Perles, the President of the North Shore Teachers Union, introduced Dr. Giarrizzo to the youngsters and their parents.  

Then Dr. Giarrizzo warmly welcomed the students and their families and asked his entering Vikings to “Raise their hands if they were going to attend Sea Cliff School, Glen Head School or Glenwood Landing School in September.” He then asked, “If they had older siblings already at any of the schools?” Many had already joined their younger brother(s) or sister(s) on the carpet to listen to Dr. Giarrizo read two of his favorite children books including, “Don’t Let the Pidgeon Drive the Bus” by Mo Willems and “It’s Okay to Be Different” by Todd Parr.

Not only were these books Dr. Giarrizzo’s top choices, but it was easy to tell that the students loved these stories too! When Dr. Giarrizzo read, “Don’t Let the Pidgeon Drive the Bus” and asked, “Can I drive the bus?” (as the pigeon), the children all interacted and loudly said, “No”…. Then Dr. Giarrizzo remarked, “PLEASE! (as the pigeon)…..and the youngsters happily responded, “No!”

At the end of the 2018 Entering Kindergarten Story Time with the Superintendent, each child was able to take home a new children’s book donated by the North Shore Teachers Union. Many thanks to all of kindergarten teachers and the three elementary principals (Dr. Zublionis (SC), Mrs. Finder (GWL), and Mrs. Nimmo (GH) who attended this wonderful introductory event. In addition, a big “thank you” goes out to Mr. Perles and the North Shore Teachers Union for organizing this fantastic event. We welcome all of the entering kindergarteners and their families to the North Shore Schools!    

Article and photos by Shelly Newman