Read Across America celebrated
Fifth graders Bethani Criddle, Ava Elrod, Hasten Williams and Renesmee Davis get in the spirit. CONTRIBUTED/VHS
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com
 By María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com  
Published 6:02 am Wednesday, March 11, 2026
In the Community

Read Across America celebrated

Elementary schools throughout the county marked Read Across America Week with activities.

At Vina Elementary School, firefighter Justin Epperson and EMT Debra Adcox visited classrooms to read with students. Epperson shared “Arthur’s Fire Drill,” and Adcox read “Please Don’t Dance in My Ambulance.”

Students and staff at Phil Campbell Elementary School also took part in themed activities tied to popular children’s books. The week included several reading-themed dress-up days.

“A Good Book Will Knock Your Socks Off” invited students to wear crazy socks inspired by the Dr. Seuss book “Fox in Socks.”

A reading of “Books Help Us Relax” gave students a chance to wear pajamas while enjoying Dr. Seuss’s “Sleep Book.”

CONTRIBUTED/PCES
PCES student Lee Ward celebrates Read Across America week.

“Hats Off to Our Favorite Books” day encouraged students to wear hats inspired by stories such as “The Cat in the Hat.”

West Elementary and Russellville Elementary School held their annual literacy and math night.

WES math coach Suzanne Glass said the event gave families a closer look at how students build skills in the classroom through activities such as graphing exercises, book bingo, bookmark making, shape building and estimation jars for each grade level.

WES reading specialist Challice Langston said staff planned activities that connected math and literacy while keeping the evening fun for families.

She said poetry added humor and imagination, helping students and parents connect reading with enjoyment.

“We Are Wild About Reading” invited students to wear animal prints or dress as their favorite animals, inspired by “If I Ran the Zoo.”

The week concluded with “Reading Makes Our Future Bright,” when students wore bright colors and sunglasses.

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