El Sausal battles illiteracy on Read Across America day

There was much happening in Monterey County schools on Read Across America day, but I only made it to two schools.

In the morning, I witnessed the ceremonial painting of teachers and students warriors at El Sausal Middle School in Salinas: English teacher David Wirth organized a group of his peers to pound the drums as they marched across campus early in the morning. The painted ones -- including yours truly -- pledged to battle illiteracy and read a lot. A lot!

For seventh grader Carlos Rodriguez, it was a good way to start the school day.

"I like that lots of us got together," he said.



Later on, I read at Ord Terrace in Seaside. That was lots of fun too.