He already breezed through two books, but a bunch of excited Phelps Luck Elementary School first-graders wouldn?t let him leave without reading “The Cat in the Hat.”
Howard County Executive Ken Ulman visited the Columbia school on Read Across America Day, created by the National Education Association to celebrate legendary rhyme master Dr. Seuss? birthday on March 2 and to encourage reading.
It was especially meaningful for Ulman since the class was taught by Nancy Koza, his first- and second-grade teacher.
“It?s always a great pleasure to be here. It?s a great school, and the kids are always good,”Ulman said after Monday?s event.
“We really pride ourselves on education in the county, and when you look at the budget, it reflects that.”
Each year, just more than half the county?s budget goes toward funding education, he said.
Ulman even gave a homework assignment.
“When you go home tonight, find some fun things to read instead of playing video games,” he said after learning of the students? fondness for Nintendo Wii.
In addition to Dr. Seuss? classic story of the feline, Ulman also read Dr. Seuss? “The Lorax,” a tale extolling the virtue of caring for the environment, and another book called “Duck for President.”
Howard County elementary school children far surpassed their peers on the reading component of last year?s Maryland School Assessment.
At Phelps Luck, 90.6 percent of fourth-graders scored proficiently or advanced on last year?s test, eclipsing the state average of 86 percent.
The 640-student school includes around 100 in the English Language Learners program for those learning English as a second language, said principal Pam Akers.
Koza?s class included one little boy who was just learning his first English words. She sat with him in the back of the room describing what Ulman was reading.
Koza, a 40-year teaching veteran who previously won a county teacher of the year award, took time to reminisce about Ulman?s days in the classroom and now seeing him again.
“It?s just wonderful. Ken was an outstanding student and very inquisitive,” she said.
