Oh, the Places They'll Go: Mesquite Junior High Visits Gilbert Elementary for Dr. Seuss Day
Tristan Chavez
On March 6, National Honor Society students at Mesquite Junior High walked to Gilbert Elementary to read books to and complete activities with kindergarten through 2nd grade students for Dr. Seuss Day. This annual tradition aims to strengthen the bond between the two neighboring schools while building community and inspiring students from both schools to be excited about their futures.
The National Honor Society members began their visit to Gilbert Elementary by reading classic Dr. Seuss books to elementary students, followed by an interactive project tied to each story. Activities included elephant hand paintings inspired by 'Horton Hears a Who,' making parachutes from 'Oh, the Places You’ll Go,' and creating Cat in the Hat paper plate masks. Students also participated in games like 'pin the sock on the fox,' made egg carton turtles, and used play-doh to create green eggs and ham.
After completing the activities with his assigned class, Jake Bundy, a student at Mesquite Junior High said, “It was fun. The students were really excited for us to be here, and I definitely want to come back. The teacher was nice, and all the students were great.”
“I loved spending time with all the kids; they were so sweet. I think it’s great that they are now more excited about eventually going to junior high while we get a chance to be role models for younger students,” added another student at Mesquite Junior High.
This Dr. Seuss Day tradition, now in its tenth year, was established to bridge the gap between Gilbert Elementary and Mesquite Junior High. Leveraging their close proximity, the schools have developed several initiatives to build a collaborative community. Each year, Gilbert Elementary students also visit Mesquite Junior High for the Jingle Jog, an event typically held on the last day before winter break.
“These events provide a valuable opportunity for our elementary students to get excited about their future in junior high, while offering leadership and mentorship opportunities for our older students," said Justin Sremba, Principal at Gilbert Elementary. "We've built a strong relationship with Mesquite Junior High, and it's wonderful to see the positive impact on both schools.”
Gilbert Public Schools is dedicated to providing students with engaging opportunities that foster excitement and preparedness for their futures. Dr. Seuss Day is just one example of the many enriching events happening across our campuses. To read more stories about similar events, please visit GilbertSchools.net/About/News-Events.