PHOTOS: Wilton Kids ‘of All Ages’ Enjoyed WEF ‘Read Aloud Day’

The Wilton Education Foundation (WEF), with the generous support of the Village Market, once again brought the community and school population together for the 19th Annual “Read Aloud Day” at Miller-Driscoll School yesterday. Members of Wilton’s business community, town government, volunteer organizations and the community-at-large came together to promote literacy, reading aloud to Wilton’s youngest citizens to emphasize and demonstrate the importance of reading. [See more photos of the reading in action, below.]

Since inception, the educational program has grown in popularity with children, teachers and volunteer readers. The school librarians selected age- and grade-appropriate books for volunteers to read in a Kindergarten through Grade 2 classroom. Using words, illustrations, inflection and cadence, storytellers bring the audience along on a fictional journey. The children engaged in a lively discussion and learned more about each reader’s role in the Town of Wilton. With the generosity and support of Village Market, the book was donated to the classroom at the end.

“We take great delight in sponsoring Read Aloud Day each year, because it sends students the message that reading is not only important, but fun!” said Nancy Dolnier, VP and General Manager of the Village Market. “It is, without question, one of our very favorite community events. It brings us immense pleasure to purchase the books for members of the community to read to each of the K-2 classrooms.”

The roster included Wilton’s first selectman Bill Brennan, State Senator Toni Boucher, State Representative Gail Lavielle, Board of Education chairman Bruce Likely and Sandy Dennies, Town of Wilton CFO. Members of the Wilton Police Department and the Wilton Library as well as many others also participated in this literacy event.

First selectman Bill Brennan reads to a class.

The Village Market’s Nancy Dolnier reads to a class.

Nancy Dolnier, Village Market general manager, and Tim Dolnier, one of the new owners of the store, with book selections for this year’s Read Aloud Day. Village Market returned this year as the sponsor of the event.

WEF co-chair Scott Weber.

First selectman Bill Brennan.

Two of Wilton’s Finest prepare to read to Wilton’s schoolchildren.

Two Everton Soccer coaches with State Sen. Toni Boucher.

Assistant superintendent Dr. Chuck Smith addresses the volunteers.

State Rep. Gail Lavielle greets some of the students.

WEF co-chair Matt Greene with his son, a Miller-Driscoll student.

State Sen. Toni Boucher greets some of the students.

First selectman Bill Brennan greets some of the students.

Wilton Chamber of Commerce Janeen Leppert reads to a first grade class.

Nancy Saxe, owner of Sweet Pierre’s reads to a class.

Board of Education chair Bruce Likly reads to a Miller-Driscoll class.