Hermosa Schools to 'Read Across America'

Even though the National Education Association’s Read Across America initiative is a nationwide program, the Hermosa Beach City Council on Tuesday proclaimed it has become a big part of the local community.

Mayor Howard Fishman presented Hermosa Valley and View schools’ Read Across America coordinator Jeannine Madden and View School Principal Sylvia Gluck with a proclamation that he read aloud: "The citizens of Hermosa Beach, Calif., stand firmly committed to promoting reading."

Read Across America hits town Friday, in honor of the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss. Madden told the council many local officials, celebrities and athletes are scheduled to read to Hermosa Beach students in honor of the day.

"We have folks from the Dodgers, Angels, and Sen. [Ted] Lieu is coming," she said. "We’re happy that you have entertained the idea of issuing a proclamation."

Council members also will participate in the day, and even Hermosa Beach Patch editor Jacqueline Howard is set to read to a fourth-grade class at .

• Earlier: Reading 'One Fish, Two Fish'

"The first year we did this was two years ago and we had a great response from the community," Madden said. "This year we have an equally hearty response."

Coming up on Patch we’ll have a recap of Read Across America Day in Hermosa Beach on Friday.