“Mrs. Jody Harvey loved sharing her love of reading with every student she taught,” Roseanne Schuenemann shared. “It was extra special this year because her family attended the event.”
Launched in 1998 and guided by a committee of educators, the National Education Association’s (NEA) Reading Across America is the nation’s largest celebration of reading, according to its website.
At Berlin Community School, not only did students in grades kindergarten to fourth grade participate in Read Across BCS family night on March 5, they also remembered one of their own – Jody Harvey, a reading specialist and second-grade teacher.
“Mrs. Jody Harvey loved sharing her love of reading with every student she taught,” shared Roseanne Schuenemann. “It was extra special this year because her family attended the event.”
This was the school’s 10th Read Across America celebration in Harvey’s honor sponsored by the Berlin Borough Education Association, according to Schuenemann. Harvey taught at the school from 2003 to 2015, and passed away at only 46 years old in 2016.
“Jody was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister and educator,” her obituary noted of Harvey, who had a master’s in education from Rowan University. “Jody enriched the lives of the students she taught at TJ Elementary School in Washington Township and Berlin Community School.”
Teachers and staff volunteer for and run the Read Across BCS family night, where students participated in several activities throughout the school, including Dr. Seuss read-alouds, Bingo, a movie, crafts, photo opportunities, cookie decorating and a dance party.
Donations are accepted and fund a Berlin Commuity School scholarship in Harvey’s memory.
