Celebrating reading at Oak Knoll School Celebrating reading at Oak Knoll School (March 23, 2005)

Community volunteers visit classrooms and read a book

What do a Menlo Park police officer, architect and grocer have in common?

Officer Matt Ortega, architect Sam Sinnott and grocer Mark Loy all work in the community and came to Oak Knoll School recently to read to students at the K-5 school in Menlo Park.

They were among 31 guest readers at the school participating in "Read Across America Day," a national program to promote literacy and knowledge of the community.

Guest readers told students why reading is important, both personally and in their work. Then, they read a book of their choice and answered questions.

Some students were surprised that Stanford baseball player Zach Gianos was a former student of Oak Knoll teacher Christine Aronson, and that Dr. Paul Gerber, a pediatric dentist, graduated from Oak Knoll. Mr. Sinnott also is an Oak Knoll alumnus.

"Comparing visitors was the buzz at lunchtime recess," said Dianne Child, who co-chaired the event with Dana Hayse.

The event was sponsored by Oak Knoll's Parent Teacher Organization.

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