“You don’t have to be a grown-up to do something creative and put it out into the world; you can do it right now.”
— Angela Dalton, author of Show the World
That message was shared with Lee F. Jackson first-grade students during a virtual author visit and reflected the spirit of learning celebrated across Greenburgh Central School District on February 4, 2026, as schools throughout the district marked World Read Aloud Day. Each school also hosted a virtual author visit, giving students the opportunity to hear directly from writers, engage in conversations about storytelling and creativity, and deepen their love of reading.
The experience supported Greenburgh’s IB focus on developing students who are communicators, thinkers, and inquirers, helping them see reading not only as a skill, but as a source of joy, curiosity, and lifelong learning.
World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) is a global movement that celebrates the power of reading aloud to build community and advocates for literacy as a fundamental human right. This year’s theme, Celebrate Learning, highlights how reading builds knowledge and curiosity—an approach that aligns closely with Greenburgh Central’s mission as an International Baccalaureate (IB) district.
Across the district, classrooms welcomed a wide range of guest readers, including police officers and firefighters, high school students reading to younger peers, Board of Education trustees, district administrators, Greenburgh Central retirees and Greenburgh Public Librarians. And, of course, many parents and grandparents. Their participation underscored Greenburgh’s commitment to community partnership and the belief that learning is strengthened when schools and community come together.
The Fairview Fire Chief read aloud to first-grade students and reflected on the opportunity to return to an elementary classroom. “My children are grown now. This is a great opportunity to be here and go back to that time,” he said.
He joked with students that he initially thought he had come to have them read to him, before adding, “You’re all really smart, and I bet you could!”
High school students also served as guest readers in elementary classrooms, modeling leadership and communication while building meaningful cross-grade connections - key elements of Greenburgh’s IB approach to teaching and learning.
Coordinated by Lori D’Andrea in partnership with building librarians, she emphasized the importance of shared reading experiences.
“When students see adults, older peers, and community members come together around books, it sends a powerful message,” Ms. D’Andrea said. “Reading aloud builds connection, sparks curiosity, and reminds students that literacy is something we value and celebrate as a community.”
Through shared stories, author conversations, and community participation, World Read Aloud Day highlighted the joy of reading aloud and the impact of seeing stories shared across classrooms, generations, and the Greenburgh community. Want to experience some of these wonderful stories? Visit our WRAD Website.