Marion-Walker students learn about animals, celebrate Read Across America week

About a dozen sealed plastic containers were stacked in the front of the stage in a multipurpose room at Marion-Walker Elementary School.

It didn’t look like anything unusual, until you got up close. Through the smoky colored bins, the outline of an unknown object could be seen. It even moved.

Patrick Rein then took out an alligator.

The reptile was small enough to fit in the zookeeper’s arms and hands, but big enough to scare a gymnasium full of elementary school students when it got restless.

A unanimous shriek came from the about 360 students before a teacher asked the group to settle down.

That was the first, but not the last, of the reptiles showcased Friday afternoon that also included a yellow-footed tortoise, Cuban rock iguana, crested gecko, boa constrictor, Western diamondback and Gila monster.

“We’re showing which of these pets might be good pets, and ones that aren’t so good,” Rein said. “It’s going with a lesson the school has been learning.”

Rein, of Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland in Allenwood, held an educational assembly that closed a weeklong, schoolwide lesson that incorporated animal care with a nationally celebrated reading program.

First-grade teacher Christina Onuskanich said the school recognized Read Across America week, which coincided with Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

The week had an animal theme.

She said a guest reader joined the school every day to read a different Dr. Seuss book to students.

“This is a program so near and dear to my heart,” Onuskanich said. “I share a birthday with Dr. Seuss, and he’s been my lifelong hero, so it’s exciting to share this with the school.”

Marion-Walker Elementary has annually celebrated the week for more than 20 years.

“This year was special, because the latest Dr. Seuss book (‘What Pet Should I Get?’) was released in July,” Onuskanich said. “Our kids got the chance to read it. ... It’s the only book I can remember that leaves the ending open to reader interpretation.”

The students read books, learned about pet care and were also encouraged to donate goods to PAWS, whose representatives spent the day at the school Monday.

In total, the school collected 705 items such as toys and pet food that will be donated to the Centre County-based animal shelter and rescue center.

The two classes that collected the most donations will get a personalized pet visit from PAWS. The winners were second-grade teacher Lauren Mrsa’s class and fourth-grade teacher Terry Markle’s class.

“They’re learning literacy, giving back and having fun with it,” Onuskanich said.

Nine-year-old Emma Haagen said her third-grade class was encouraged to read a total of 50 books.

“We hit our goal,” Emma said. “I read probably about five books, but it was a lot of fun because we did a lot of stuff in and out of class to help animals in need and read a lot of books that were about animals.”

Dr. Seuss was also celebrated through Read Across America week at other schools in Centre County with themed days and guest readers.

PA Virtual Charter School held a celebration Friday afternoon at Christ Community Church in College Township with teachers in costume, readings of some of Dr. Seuss’ work including “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham,” group discussions, games and more.

Spokeswoman Lauren Hawk said the event was a way to “remind students that giving back to the community is always important.”

She said students donated canned goods that will go to local food banks.

This story was originally published March 4, 2016 at 6:40 PM with the headline "Marion-Walker students learn about animals, celebrate Read Across America week."