Comes To Hawley

By Larissa Lytwyn

Hawley Elementary School kicked off its “One School, One Read” program with all the flash and excitement of New York City — the setting of its selected book.

That book is George Selden’s A Cricket in Times Square, which, coincidentally, is also Sandy Hook School’s featured “One School, One Read” book!

The classic children’s novel tells the story of Chester, a cricket, who arrives in early 20th Century Manhattan from his native Connecticut via a picnic basket.

The tiny insect considers himself blessed when he quickly makes three good friends: a little boy named Mario, whose parents run the newsstand; a fast-talking Broadway mouse called Tucker; and Tucker’s pal, Harry Cat.

Between escapades all over New York City, the four somehow manage to bring success to the almost bankrupt newsstand.

To celebrate the kickoff, special education teacher Mary Walsh prepared a PowerPoint slide show featuring a myriad of unforgettable images of Manhattan.

Several shots featured candid shots on the subway; others captured the glamour of Broadway, and, of course, Times Square.

The slide show was presented during a special assembly for students in grades 1 through 4.

The slide show was set to the sounds of subway trains, public chatter and later, the music of Les Miserables as the musical’s world-famous poster was prominently featured on screen.

In addition, Hawley staff and faculty wore Times Square T-shirts.

The T-shirts were acquired through a website that sells New York City memorabilia, explained Hawley’s reading specialist, Karen Yanusas.

The book was chosen through the faculty-based Literature Committee.

The goal of the committee was to find a book that was long enough to be read over the course of several weeks, could be read by a wide range of students, and appeal to both boys and girls.

Each student received a bookmark with the MTA emblem on it.

At the end of the assembly, Principal Jo-Ann Peters read the first chapter of the book aloud to students.

She was seated in a special rocking chair that had been donated by Judy Pesce, the school’s former lead teacher. Ms Pesce retired from the school system after a multidecade career in education.

Over the next few weeks, students will be encouraged to read the book with their parents and siblings.

A yet-to-be-determined culminating event will take place at the end of April.