By by Tim Cottrell
If one were to enter Rachel Patterson Elementary School last week, he may have heard a who, eaten green eggs and ham, or seen thing one or two.
In celebration of Dr. Seuss Day, the school hosted several retired teachers and local business leaders to read the works of Dr. Seuss (birth name Theodor Geisel) during the morning hours Friday. In the afternoon, a Dr. Seuss parade was held throughout the halls of the school, where children were encouraged to dress up as story book characters.
While storybook characters weren't what all the children wound up wearing, a potpourri of costumes ranging from a Jeff Gordon NASCAR outfit to children wearing sweaters with "Thing 1" written on them (a reference to characters from Dr. Seuss's "The Cat in the Hat").
Rachel Patterson Elementary School principal Beth Drew was pleased with the event, now in its fourth year.
"Its such a good event," Drew said. "So many of our children love Dr. Seuss. He's easy to read or to follow if you don't know how to read. It really makes it a fun week."
Drew also described many of the activities that go on during the week.
"The teachers do a lot of trivia," Drew said. "The children really look forward to having the readers. Sara Davis, who used to be a teacher here in Atmore and retired as the elementary supervisor (for the Escambia County School System) started the program this year (Drew was at a grant meeting in Montgomery) and read to the kids. I think the kids really enjoyed her. A lot of our retired teachers read to them as well as some local business people."
Drew said she thought the children enjoyed the event each year.
"I think they really look forward to it," Drew said. "Its a day to dress up, a day to parade around the school, and they look forward to the readers."
Drew said the students weren't the only ones who looked forward to Dr. Seuss Week each year.
"All I got was positive comments (from the teachers)," Drew said. "They like seeing the children excited, and like how the readers get the students into the story. I haven't heard any negative."