On Friday, March 2nd, CEA celebrated Read Across America. For several weeks, in preparation for this event, we collected new and lightly used books to benefit the Children's Trust's "Read to Learn Books for Free" program. On March 2nd, we celebrated our love for reading through a full day of school-wide activities celebrating books and reading. Mr. Kessler, our Theatre Department Head, dressed up as the Cat in the Hat and read Dr. Seuss books to our youngest readers in K3 and K4. 1st and 3rd grades participated in buddy reading together in the CEA cafeteria. 2nd and 4th grades also paired up for buddy reading in Central Park. 5th and 7th grades collaborated in poems together, as did 6th and 8th grades, giving older students an opportunity to mentor and collaborate with younger students, creating beautiful and thoughtful poetry together. We had several guest athletes from FIU speak to our volleyball players and runners, and an extraordinary panel of professionals spoke to our Upper School students. Excellent guest readers from all areas of the community donated their time and shared their love of books with our students. Thank you to Mrs. Martinez for organizing and coordinating this wonderful event, to our NJHS student ambassadors, and to all of our guest readers:

Anita Sax – Children's author

Beverly Melasi-Haag - Children's mystery book author

Antonia De Santis – Educator, Miami Seaquarium

Tony Vila – City of Miami Firefighter

Lisa Palley – Public Relations for The Children's Trust Read to Learn/Books for Free program

Litza Lopez – CEA Mom, Alumna, and Senior Clinical Study Manager at Pfizer

Francis Fernandez – CEA Dad, former CEA coach, CPA at Pratz, Fernandez & Co

Jean Romanick – Educator at Zoo Miami

Eileen Press – CEA Mom, Alumna, and paralegal

Eileen Andrade – CEA Alumna, owner and chef at Finka Table and Tap and Amelia 1931 resturants

Laura Rodriguez – CEA Alumna, Reporter for NBC6

Samantha Gonzalez – CEA Alumna, Chief Resident of Internal Medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital

Barbra Rocha – CEA Alumna, Director of Human Resources at Gold Coast Beverage

Mary Carmen Garrido – Graphic Designer

Robert Castillo – CEA Dad, former CEA coach, owner of Thunder Athletics

Carlos Canino – CEA Dad, CEA Alumnus, Veterinarian at Knowles Animal Clinic

Lori Pernia – CEA Mom, CEA Alumna, City of Miami Police Officer

Molly Feldmeth – FIU Volleyball player

Madison Besterfield – FIU Beach Volleyball Player

Ann Barral – FIU Swimming and Diving Athlete

Read Across America

Did you know that only 1 in every 300 children own a book at home?

CEA will be celebrating its 2nd Annual Read Across America along with Read to Learn Books for Free. Last year, we collected 2,000 books for our community's children.From February 2nd through March 3rd, we will be collecting gently used children's books to donate to our community's children.

We would like this year to be as successful as last year's book donation. Our school will be collecting gently used books for babies through 2nd graders. We will be collecting books until the first week of March.

You will find our book drop bin outside the Alicia Espinosa Library or your child can give their books to their homeroom teacher.

Thank you for your participation for your support to children's literacy. Together, we can change these statistics and grow our community of readers, who will be our future leaders!