STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Fourth graders at PS 54 leaned in as high school students from Susan E. Wagner’s My Brother’s Keeper program read Grace Byers’s “I Am Enough,” a book that centers on self-love and also teaches confidence.
The reading was part of “World Read Aloud Day,” a global tradition that began in New York City to encourage reading aloud, and is observed on the first Wednesday of February each year.
Several community members participated in this year’s event at PS 54, including children’s book author Dr. Frances R. Curcio; Education and Youth Liaison Agnes McBeth; and Staten Island UFT Borough Representative Shawn Ramos. Kristine Garlisi of The Nicotra Group also joined, along with additional guest readers from the community.
In addition to the reading of “I Am Enough,” third- and fifth-grade students gathered in the auditorium with children’s book author Curcio for a Q&A session about her book “The Case of Antonio Meucci & The Telephone: Just the Facts.” A book focused on the life of the Italian inventor and his creation of the telephone.
Students asked Curcio questions about her book, her writing process and her upcoming projects.
Curcio said she was inspired to write the book because “there really wasn’t a children’s book available to help them understand the true inventor of the telephone.” She hopes PS 54 students take away the opportunity to think deeply about history and ask questions that go beyond the text.
“I’m hoping they had the chance to ask questions that went beyond the book, and that motivates them to explore their own thinking, their beliefs, and try to connect with the situation that motivated Antonio to proceed. He could have given up, and he didn’t,” Curcio said.
In the lunchroom, third-grade students gathered with Ramos, who read “Bug in a Vacuum” by Mélanie Watts, a book that explores the five stages of grief. Its message ultimately helps children understand how to process and cope with loss or major life changes.
In the afternoon, McBeth joined first graders in the auditorium and read “Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse!” by Laura Numeroff, a book that teaches children about Valentine’s Day and the importance of spreading love.
Garlisi and other community readers also visited classrooms to share stories with students.
“My kids like to read, and after they hear somebody speaking, it will spark them,” said PS 54 Principal Karen LaRosa. who organizes the event each year,
She added that every lesson at the school is connected to real-world learning: “Before every lesson we teach the kids, we always say, ‘Why are we learning this?’ Because every lesson has a learning intention, success criteria,and connection to the real world.”
The school plans to continue celebrating the literacy-focused day as it inspires students to pick up a book and read, she said.