Compton Unified School District
501 South Santa Fe Avenue
Compton, California 90221
www.compton.k12.ca.us
Serving Compton
Carson
Enterprise
South Los Angeles
Willowbrook
Contact:
Ron T. Suazo
Communications Coordinator
(310) 604-6529
March 5, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Compton Unified Welcomes Hollywood Stars for a Day of
Literary Fun at 12th Annual Read Across America
COMPTON, Calif., — Hollywood stars aligned at Compton Unified School District
(CUSD), Tuesday, March 2, to read books with more than 700 students from all 24
CUSD elementary schools.
As part of CUSD’s 12th Annual “Read Across America” literacy celebration, celebrity
guests honored late author Dr. Seuss’ birthday by reading a selection of his works in the
CUSD board room, 501 S. Santa Fe Ave., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsors included the
California Teachers Association (CTA), the Compton Education Association (CEA) and
the National Education Association (NEA).
Guest readers included: CUSD Board of Trustees members President Mae Thomas,
board member Marjorie Shipp, legislative representative Margie Garrett and board
member Emma Sharif; actresses Raven Symone, “That’s So Raven” and Rachelle
Lefevre, “Twilight: New Moon;” actor Quinton Aaron, “The Blind Side;” voice actors
Tom Kinney, “Spongebob Squarepants,” and Bob Fagerbakke, “Patrick Starfish;” actors
Jerry Trainor and Noah Munck, “iCarly;” and actors James Avery and Karyn Parsons,
“The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.”
Superintendent Kaye Burnside, Ed.D., who along with her mother read Dr. Seuss
classics to first- and second-graders, said, “We are honored to once again welcome
celebrity guests to our school district.” She added, “With their help, we are making an
impact in our students’ lives and allowing them to understand the importance of books.”
(MORE)
“Excellence in Progress”
501 South Santa Fe Avenue, Compton, California 90221 – 310.639.4321
Serving Compton
Carson
Enterprise
South Los Angeles
Willowbrook
Compton Unified School District
501 South Santa Fe Avenue
Compton, California 90221
www.compton.k12.ca.us
CUSD Celebrates the 12th Annual Read Across America
page two
Kinney, who is known as the voice of Spongebob, said he relished reading Dr. Seuss’
“Green Eggs and Ham” to CUSD students. “I’ve been here almost every year since Read
Across America started and it never gets old for me,” he noted. “Our goal here is to
encourage students to continue developing their reading skills. We want reading a book
to be a natural, reflexive thing to do.” Kinney added, “Once students are able to do that,
the rewards are endless.”
Fagerbakke inspired students to laugh every time he read to them in the voice of
Patrick Starfish from the popular animated series “Spongebob Squarepants.” For him,
participating in Read Across America was not only an opportunity to educate students,
but also to give back. “I’m honored to be here. My mother was a first grade teacher, so
the area of primary education is near and dear to me,” he said. “Reading to my own
children is one of the highlights of my life.”
Lefevre left her vampire fangs in the world of the Twilight films to read Dr. Seuss’
“Oh, the Places You’ll Go” to CUSD students. The actress also donated 50 copies of the
book to the district. “I was thrilled to be asked to read to the kids. My father was an
English teacher, so this is very dear to my heart. I had so many books that I loved to read
over and over as a kid.” Lefevre added, “I thought I’d bring some books because I
wanted to share that experience with the students. Reading is immeasurably important.”
Additional information may be obtained by contacting the CUSD Office of
Communications at (310) 639-4321, ext. 46561 or www.compton.k12.ca.us.
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“Excellence in Progress”
501 South Santa Fe Avenue, Compton, California 90221 – 310.639.4321
Compton Unified School District
501 South Santa Fe Avenue
Compton, California 90221
www.compton.k12.ca.us
Serving Compton
Carson
Enterprise
South Los Angeles
Willowbrook
March 5, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS TO ACCOMPANY:
Compton Unified Welcomes Hollywood Stars for a Day of
Literary Fun at 12th Annual Read Across America
Reading Raven — Actress Raven Symone, “That’s So Raven,” reads to students Tuesday,
March 2, as part of Compton Unified School District’s (CUSD) 12th Annual Read Across
America celebrations in the district’s board room, 501 S. Santa Fe Ave. “I love coming here
every year. I love letting the kids know it’s important to read,” she said. “Compton’s kids are as
important as anyone in any place. This event should be in all schools.”
(MORE)
“Excellence in Progress”
501 South Santa Fe Avenue, Compton, California 90221 – 310.639.4321
Compton Unified School District
501 South Santa Fe Avenue
Compton, California 90221
www.compton.k12.ca.us
Serving Compton
Carson
Enterprise
South Los Angeles
Willowbrook
March 5, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS TO ACCOMPANY:
Compton Unified Welcomes Hollywood Stars for a Day of
Literary Fun at 12th Annual Read Across America
Spongebob Strikes Again — Voice actor, Tom Kinney, “Spongebob Squarepants,” and
actress Romi Dames, “Hannah Montana,” take turns reading Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham,”
Tuesday, March 2, as part of Compton Unified School District’s celebration of the author’s
birthday during the 12th Annual Read Across America.
(MORE)
“Excellence in Progress”
501 South Santa Fe Avenue, Compton, California 90221 – 310.639.4321
Compton Unified School District
501 South Santa Fe Avenue
Compton, California 90221
www.compton.k12.ca.us
Serving Compton
Carson
Enterprise
South Los Angeles
Willowbrook
March 5, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS TO ACCOMPANY:
Compton Unified Welcomes Hollywood Stars for a Day of
Literary Fun at 12th Annual Read Across America
Reading with the Stars— Actress Rachelle Lefevre, “Twilight: New Moon,” and Quinton
Aaron, “The Blind Side,” read Dr. Seuss’ “Oh the Places You’ll Go” to students Tuesday, March
2, as part of Compton Unified School District’s celebration of the author’s birthday during the
12th Annual Read Across America. “I love reading to the little kids and seeing their faces as they
react to each story. It’s really cool,” said Aaron.
(MORE)
“Excellence in Progress”
501 South Santa Fe Avenue, Compton, California 90221 – 310.639.4321
Compton Unified School District
501 South Santa Fe Avenue
Compton, California 90221
www.compton.k12.ca.us
Serving Compton
Carson
Enterprise
South Los Angeles
Willowbrook
March 5, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS TO ACCOMPANY:
Compton Unified Welcomes Hollywood Stars for a Day of
Literary Fun at 12th Annual Read Across America
Story Time with Patrick Starfish — Voice actor Bill Fagerbakke (left), who performs the role
of Patrick Starfish in the animated series “Spongebob Squarepants,” takes turns reading with
actor Stephen Glickman (right), from the Nickelodeon series “Big Time Rush,” Tuesday, March
2, as part of Compton Unified School District’s 12th Annual Read Across America.
(MORE)
“Excellence in Progress”
501 South Santa Fe Avenue, Compton, California 90221 – 310.639.4321
Serving Compton
Carson
Enterprise
South Los Angeles
Willowbrook
Compton Unified School District
501 South Santa Fe Avenue
Compton, California 90221
www.compton.k12.ca.us
March 5, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS TO ACCOMPANY:
Compton Unified Welcomes Hollywood Stars for a Day of
Literary Fun at 12th Annual Read Across America
From Compton with Love — Actors James Avery and Karyn Parsons, “The Fresh Prince
of Bel Air,” receive hugs from Compton Unified School District elementary school
students Tuesday, March 2, at the district’s 12th Annual Read Across America.
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“Excellence in Progress”
501 South Santa Fe Avenue, Compton, California 90221 – 310.639.4321