Read Across America

Read Across America is an annual celebration designed to encourage children, young adults (and grown-ups) throughout America to pick up a book and discover the joy of reading.

It is organized by the National Education Association (NEA) and the program runs year round. There is an additional focus in the month of March which is National Reading Month and March 2 (Dr. Seuss's birthday) which is designated as Read Across America Day.

The National Education Association has diversified the Read Across America program and while it is celebrated on Dr. Seuss’s birthday, instead of being tied to one brand or author, it centers on celebrating reading and writing as a whole and introducing children to Dr. Seuss as well as a range of diverse books.

We encourage you to continue to foster the joy of reading with students of all ages.  Below are some resources to support Read Across America. 

You can also explore the book and activity suggestions on the Read Across America site and in the 2022-2023 calendar to bring Read Across America to your community. Contact your local school, education association, library, or bookstore about planning or participating in an event.

14 Big Ideas for Celebrating NEA’s Read Across America includes activities to bring the joys of reading to students of all ages, and make all children feel safe, valued, and welcome.

February 8th: Secondary and Elementary Collaboration

We will have job-alike collaboration to support vertical alignment for both elementary and secondary teachers tomorrow, February 8th. 

Secondary teachers will focus on core instruction and standards-based learning from 7:30 AM-9:00 AM.

Collaboration Team	Location
Instrumental/Vocal Music/General Music/Guitar 6-12	HS S 109
Art 6-12	HS S 109
PE/Health 6-12	Room 180 JH
CTE (PLTW)	HS N169
World Language, 8th World Language	HS N148
ELA 6-12, ESOL 6-12, TAG 6, Teacher Librarians	HS Library
Math: 6-12	SC Science Room
Science- 6-12	HS Science
Social Studies 6-12	JH Rm 101
Counselors and Nurses (6-12)	SC Library
Special Ed Teachers	HS Multi-purpose room

Elementary teachers will focus on designing Level 4 tasks to support advanced learners from 2:30 PM-4:00 PM

Collaboration Team	Location
Preschool	TLRC
Kindergarten	Altoona Elementary
Grade 1	Centennial Elementary
Grade 2	Runnells Elementary
Grade 3	Four Mile Elementary
Grade 4	Willowbrook Elementary
Grade 5	Clay Elementary
Nurses	Clay Elementary
Counselors	Centennial Elementary
Teacher Librarians	Join grade level at home building
Music	Delaware Elementary
Art	Delaware Elementary
PE	Clay Elementary
ESOL	Join grade level at home building
Title I Math	Clay Elementary
Special Education Teachers	Spring Creek library
TAG	Join grade level at home building
Title I Reading & Reading Specialists	Mitchellville Elementary

February: Celebrating School Counselors/Black History Month

As we enter the month of February, there are many things to celebrate across our schools.

National School Counseling Week is celebrated this week, Feb 6-10, and highlights the unique contributions of school counselors and their tremendous impact on student success.  Nearly 120,000 school counselors provide students with academic, college/career and social/emotional development and our counselors here at SEP are among the very best.  We thank you for all you do for the students at Southeast Polk. 

February is Black History Month. Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in US history.  This is a great opportunity to showcase African-American culture & history as a part of teaching and learning at Southeast Polk.

Here are some resources to honor the month: 

• BlackHistoryMonth.gov 
• We are Teachers
• PBS
• Center for Civic Education
• Resources from the State Historical Museum