Brook Hill celebrates reading this week
Staff Reports

Lower School Open House Everyone is invited Saturday, Oct. 17 7 - 8 p.m. Included: Grand tour, meet Brook Hill educators, enjoy refreshments More information: 903-894-5000 or www.brookhill.org

Brook Hill is trying to engage students in reading -- not as a chore but infuse the fun into it.

That's why staff has set aside this week to celebrate books.

"The love of learning and reading is the foundation of a broad education," said Brook Hill Headmaster Rod Fletcher. "It's the mission of Brook Hill to be responsive. to the full nature of human rationality."

The festivities began Monday, Oct. 9. It is a week filled with activities to celebrate books and reading, and there are continuing assemblies on literature during the week.

Brook Hill Upper School Principal Connie Russell said reading is near to her heart.

"I spent years as an English teacher," Russell said. "So obviously, I have a passion for reading, and I know what a difference it makes in the educational process."

Russell, a 20-year veteran teacher, began teaching history and English five years ago at Brook Hill and then ascended to upper-school principal.

Above and left, last year's Brook Hill Lower School students take part in an annual parade decorating floats depicting the theme of a book. To celebrate a week of reading, on Friday, Oct. 13th, students will dress in characters from their book and march, pulling their decorated float depicting the theme of their book in a parade on the Quad (Upper/Middle School campus).

And while the focus is on the lower school children, the upper school is involved -- at least peripherally.

Lower School Principal Bill Seronello began his career with children early.

He taught at Sylvan Way, where he was instrumental in the school's expanding from an early childhood education program (2-year-old through third grade), to an early childhood and elementary program (infant through 6th grades).

"Getting children to love reading -- the younger the better -- is critical," he said. "Making it fun for them just comes naturally. Reading is fun."

Seronello served 12 years as elementary headmaster and curriculum coordinator at Redwood Christian Schools in the East Bay area of San Francisco.

"We finish the week of emphasis on literature with a Red Wagon Float Parade," Seronello said.

On Friday, Oct. 13th, students will dress in characters from their book and march, pulling their decorated float depicting the theme of their book in a parade on the Quad (Upper/Middle School campus).

The upper/middle school students will be released from their classes for a few minutes to watch the parade.

For more information on this or other Brook Hill activities, call 903-894-5000 or visit brookhill.org.

Lower School Principal Bill Seronello began his career with children early.

He taught at Sylvan Way, where he was instrumental in the school's expanding from an early childhood education program (2-year-old through third grade), to an early childhood and elementary program (infant through 6th grades).

"Getting children to love reading -- the younger the better -- is critical," he said. "Making it fun for them just comes naturally. Reading is fun."

Seronello served 12 years as elementary headmaster and curriculum coordinator at Redwood Christian Schools in the East Bay area of San Francisco.

"We finish the week of emphasis on literature with a Red Wagon Float Parade," Seronello said.

On Friday, Oct. 13th, students will dress in characters from their book and march, pulling their decorated float depicting the theme of their book in a parade on the Quad (Upper/Middle School campus).

The upper/middle school students will be released from their classes for a to watch the parade.

"It reminds the older students, too, how much fun it is," Russell said. "To see the children dressed up is a treat, and our older students recognize it."

For more information on this or other Brook Hill activities, call 903-894-5000 or visit

brookhill.org.