Story time with the mayor

The students of Bay Haven School of Basics Plus love to take a sharksized bite out of a good book. And last week, they had the hats to prove it and the mayor of Sarasota’s help.

In the annual observance of Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida, fourth grade teacher Jennette Schwaed invited Mayor Kyle Battie into the classroom for story time on Jan. 24.

The Florida Department of Education initiated this statewide event to inspire students and their families to make reading part of their daily routines. This year’s theme: “Take A Deep Dive Into Literacy.”

“Reading is such an essential part of education,” Battie said. “There are a lot of things and experiences in reading that you can get.”

Battie first answered questions the students were eager to ask, then took his reading place in a rocking chair in front.

Forty-seven students wore handmade shark hats as they listened attentively to Battie read “A Sick Day for Amos McGee.”

“If they hear books being read aloud by other people, such as the mayor, I think this helps them understand that reading is so important,” Schwaed said.

— DARIELA DELGADO