STERLING — Town officials, public safety personnel, and others participated in the March 29 Community Reading Day at Houghton Elementary School.
It was the first time the annual literacy-focused event, which was launched in 2002, was held post-pandemic. The 15 community members invited to read to children in kindergarten through Grade 4 gathered in the school library, along with school staff, for coffee and pastries before being brought to classrooms by student escorts.
“This is really the hub of our elementary school, and something we take a lot of pride in,” Houghton Principal Tony Cipro said of the library.
He went on to say that the library houses more than 16,000 books and is run by a “legion” of dedicated parent volunteers. Cipro noted that PTO contributions enable them to upgrade their collection and that they are “doing a total makeover over time.”
Recreation Department Director Shari Gonsorcik was “honored to represent the community.”
“I’m reading to the children who are coming through my programs, so it gives me a chance to get to know them more,” she said.
Select Board Chair Maureen Cranson, a first time participant, read in the third-grade classroom, in which her grandson is a student. She said she was “tickled pink and honored” to be there, especially because it happened to fall on the same day her son Jeff Cranson passed away eight years ago.
“It’s very appropriate to be here,” the longtime town resident shared. “It makes sense to get out and keep going. Whatever you can do for your community makes it better for everyone.”
The older students received bookmarks autographed by Lt. Steve Fugere from the Sterling Police Department and colorful stretch bracelets. After Postmaster Bob Marrama read to the kids in Renee Simons’ first grade classrooms, he fielded questions.
One student asked him what happens if there isn’t an address on an envelope or package.
“The postal carrier goes to 600 houses a day,” Marrama explained. “If you live in a small town like Sterling, you get to know people by name.”
Cipro, who has been principal of the school for 24 years, said “The opportunity to promote reading with community members sharing their job responsibilities, how reading plays a part in doing their jobs, and then modeling a read aloud of children’s literature sends a great message to our children. They are the future global community leaders.
