Pleasant School celebrates Right to Read

NORWALK — The magic of reading came through during Pleasant School's celebration of Right to Read Week. Following the theme, "Reading is Magical," the school's students, faculty and administration mixed fun with inspiration last week from movies and exotic locations. The week's activities were exciting and diverse, seeing a different activity each day, said principal Janice Smith. Monday was highlighted by "Marvels and Princesses," with students wearing Disney superhero, princess, or any Disney character's costume, shirt or colors, and staff donning Right to Read T-shirts. Tuesday was "A Galaxy Far, Far Away ... To Infinity and Beyond," focusing on the movies, "Star Wars" and "Toy Story." Wednesday's "Monsters University," emphasized the movie of the same name. "Ohana Day" Thursday centered around Hawaiian and brightly colored clothing. Friday was "Disney Spirit Day," with students and teachers wearing Disney shirts, mouse ears and other accessories. "It was like we were there," Smith said. "Every day was a different theme park." "I liked how we got rewarded for the math," said third-grade student Ariel Roche, 9, attired in Disney garb and mouse ears. "I also liked how we dressed up." Friday's celebration included a thrilling Right to Read Week wrap-up assembly, highlighted by magician Michael Mage. Just before Mage's performance, Smith addressed the assembly, voicing her pleasure with the students' accomplishments over the course of the week, reaching beyond their targeted number of minutes read, at 30,000. "We exceeded that," she said.