Staff report
The book worms at West Rowan High School will go so far as to eat the real thing to celebrate the annual Read Across America observance.
And a number of other schools in the Rowan-Salisbury system are planning less dramatic ways to celebrate reading. The school system is celebrating the birthday of Dr. Seuss throughout the week in numerous schools.  
The nationwide reading celebration takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of the beloved children’s author who epitomizes a love of learning. Dr. Seuss’ use of rhyme makes his books an effective tool for teaching young children the basic skills they need to be successful.  
The National Education Association officially designated Monday as Read Across America Day.
Local schools’ activities include:
– Rockwell Elementary students voting for their favorite Dr. Seuss book.
– Bostian Elementary students planting a Reading Tree.
– Knollwood Elementary students wearing read shirts and inviting special guests to read stories to the students.
– Carson High students studying Dr. Seuss from a high school perspective.
– West Rowan High sending a group of students Friday as reading ambassadors to three elementary schools in the West area to read to students.
– A live broadcast within West Rowan High Friday afternoon of two favorite “book worm” teachers ingesting worms as a symbolic way to end the Read Across West Rowan High School festivities.
Research has shown that when someone reads to a child or children read for pleasure, those children are significantly more successful in school than children who haven’t been exposed to reading.
This is the 11th year the National Education Association has sponsored Read Across America to focus attention on the importance of motivating students to read and to demonstrate how to master basic reading skills.