Volunteers from Women United and the United Way of Central Maryland donned Cat in the Hat apparel at 17 schools across central Maryland to celebrate Read Across America Day, also Dr. Seuss’s birthday with students on March 2, 2017.
At Maree G. Farring Elementary School, one of the participating schools in Read Across America Day, Baltimore City Police Department officers Tammica Washington and Maria Velez read
to an eager class of first graders who then made their own Dr. Seuss hats and joined in the fun.
“This is one of the most enjoyable aspects of serving the community,” said Officer Velez as she read aloud to the class.
Members of the Baltimore City Police Department joined 150 volunteer readers from Morgan Stanley and other area companies, government agencies and non-profit organizations across the region to reinforce the joy of reading with elementary school students.
Diego Culluicodor, a first grader student at Farring Elementary, said he loves reading aloud and especially enjoyed seeing the United Way guests dressed in costume.
“Today was fun and I liked making my own hat,” Diego said while putting the finishing touches on his custom made Cat in the Hat replica.
The United Way of Central Maryland maintains a permanent presence at Maree G. Fanning through a new pilot program to identify at risk students before they fall through the cracks, according
to Danielle Hogan Associate VP Marketing and Communications, United Way of Central Maryland.
“ United Way volunteers are placed in the school to identify at-risk children early in their school experience and help put them on the track to success,” Hogan said.
The program is also being piloted at Sandy Plains Elementary School in Dundalk, Maryland.
“We’re currently looking to expand into Baltimore County Schools in the fall,” Hogan added.
The United Way of Maryland is affiliated with more than 30 schools across Central Maryland operating Family Stability Programs based on a nationally successful evidence-based model for
vulnerable families.
Women United is a dynamic group of more than 1,400 local women who have come together to lead the charge, inspire change and move the needle on the issues that are important to them in their community.
For more information about The United Way of Central Maryland’s Family Stability or the new pilot early intervention program for elementary schools, call: 410-547-8000 or visit: www.umcm.org.