Batavia principal makes unforgettable entrance
It's a kitty. It's a bunny. It's a mouse.
On a motorcycle?
"It's Principal Whyte," said Tomas Dorado.
Tomas was one of hundreds of Louise White School students who delighted in seeing their principal, Sherry Whyte arrive at school last Thursday dressed as a mouse, sitting on the back of a motorcycle. Steering the Harley was Whyte's husband, Rick.
The surprise arrival was all part of a reading promotion," One Book, One Louise White" sponsored by the Louise White Parent Teacher Organization. The PTO purchased copies of the popular Beverly Cleary book about the adventurous mouse for every student at the school.
The students didn't have a clue why their principal made the surprise entry until it was announced at an early morning assembly.
As the kids filed into the gym many made guesses about the big surprise.
"I think she's going to tell us there is no school this afternoon," said one observant student who knew her mother was coming in for a conference.
The promotion encourages students at the school to read the chapter book, "The Mouse and the Motorcycle," and compete for small prizes by answering questions about the book. The students are encouraged to keep a calendar of their reading time as well. At the end of the reading program, one calendar will be chosen and the teacher of that student will have the opportunity to ride the Harley along with the mouse around the Louise White school circle.
The students received the idea of "One Book, One Louise White" with enthusiasm. When Mrs. Whyte asked the assembly "Are you ready to read?" the crowd shook the gymnasium with a resounding "YES."
In the second grade classroom of Maureen Jakubowski, the kids were a bit more subdued, but still excited.
"Seeing a mouse on a motorcycle is pretty crazy, " said Jesse Philips, who hadn't read the book yet.
Most of the second graders were excited to read the book and some had already started, since the books were being distributed at the teacher parent conferences.
Asked how many had received a free book, hands shot up faster than a sky rocket on the Fourth of July.
How many have never gotten a free book?
Reid Coyle shyly raised his hand.
"It's really cool to get a free book," he said. "I have some Star Wars books and Junie B. Jones but I just reread those. It'll be cool to have a new book to read."
Not all of the students were totally surprised. Some had an inkling that something was going on.
"Our music teacher, Mr. Zimmer, told us that the school had a big mouse problem," said Carter Gette. "Now we know what he meant."