NORTH ROBINSON — Schools throughout the county recently have celebrated Right to Read Week, including Colonel Crawford.
At Hannah Crawford Elementary on Wednesday, students were treated to a planetarium in the gymnasium.
“Our theme is Reading is Out of This World. We had a visiting author on Monday and on Friday, parents and grandparents can come to read with the kids,” said Hannah Crawford Principal Cindy Voss.
Dan Everly of Galion and Deloris Mlay of Mansfield brought the blow-up style planetarium to the school.
“We provide the planetarium through the Warren-Rupp Observatory in Bellville,” said Everly, who became interested in astronomy while in Boy Scouts and later, as a Navy man on a ship.
“This is our second time at this school,” Everly said. “We go to schools throughout the area when requested.”
Mlay said the students are learning about the galaxies, planets, meteorites and more.
“It’s a fun way to teach kids about astronomy,” Mlay said.
Fifth grade teacher Sherry Frankart said Right to Read Week helps kids learn the skills to become good readers.
“Reading is everywhere,” Frankhart. “You need to be able to read to fill out a job application, to work at a job, to even read labels on food. Reading is the cornerstone of education.”
Eleven-year-old Shawn Auck said reading is fun.
“I like reading,” he said.
Fifth graders Karly Shaw and Shaylee Palenshus said they also enjoy reading.
“I love to read,” said Shaw as she disappeared through the tunnel to enter the planetarium.