South Colonie Central School District

March 2, 2026

School Leaders, Guest Speakers Celebrate Read Across America Week with Students

The magic of reading was celebrated in classrooms across the South Colonie Central School District this week, as students and staff marked Read Across America Week with special guests, schoolwide initiatives, and plenty of page-turning excitement.

On Read Across America Day, mystery readers went in and out of classrooms at Roessleville. Guest readers included school leaders like Superintendent Dr. David Perry, Assistant Superintendents Jacqlene McAllister and Tom Kachadurian, and School Board members Stephanie Cogan and Rose Gigliello. By inviting such important members of our school community to read to our young students, we showed our students that no matter how big your job is, you’re never too busy to get lost in a great book.

A man in a suit reads a book to a group of children. A teacher smiles while reading a picture book to a class. A man reads a book to a group of children in a classroom setting.

“Reading opens the door to imagination, empathy, and opportunity,” said Superintendent Dr. David Perry. “When our students see leaders in their school community sharing stories, it reinforces that reading isn’t just a classroom activity — it’s a lifelong joy.”

At Forest Park Elementary, students were introduced to their One Pack, One Book initiative with an interactive presentation by 2002 Iditarod musher Karen Land. Land brought along her Alaskan Husky, Noggin, to share stories of dogsledding and spark excitement for this month’s featured title, Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Dogsledding and Extreme Sports.

A person stands on a stage with a dog in front of a projection screen.

Veeder Elementary launched its One Book initiative with Fiasco at the Fair by former Colonie teacher Pam Traynor. Students were introduced to the book through a fun new video produced by teachers and Principal Jim Vardaro. In the weeks ahead, additional videos featuring staff members reading chapters will keep the excitement building and families engaged at home.

A teacher reads 'The Cat in the Hat' to a group of attentive children in a classroom.

Saddlewood Elementary kicked off Read Across America Week with “Books Knock Our Socks Off,” inviting students to wear their craziest socks to celebrate the joy of reading. At Shaker Road Elementary, the week began with “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” Day, where students dressed in attire representing where they hope to attend school or college one day.

Across the district, the message was clear: books connect us, inspire us, and remind us that the adventure of learning begins with a single page.