The Sussex Consortium joined schools around the world in celebrating the power of reading aloud, and the ways it fosters connection, strengthens literacy skills and inspires a lifelong love of books.

To mark the occasion, members of the Sussex Consortium school administration team and Michele Stouffer, reading specialist, visited classrooms all over the building to read aloud to students. The shared literacy experiences created moments of connection between students and staff, reinforcing the joy and importance of storytelling.

Following the classroom readings, the entire school community participated in a collaborative art project inspired by “The Color Monster” by Anna Llenas. The story, which explores emotions through color, served as the foundation for a school-wide initiative focused on emotional awareness and belonging.

Each classroom was assigned a specific color tied to one of the emotions featured in the book. Students, teachers, specialists and support staff worked together to create original pieces of artwork representing their assigned feeling. Every member of the school community was invited to contribute, making the project a truly inclusive effort.

By engaging with the story through art, students deepened their understanding of emotions while expressing themselves creatively. The completed installation, now prominently displayed in the school, features the message: Every Feeling Belongs Here. The statement reflects Sussex Consortium’s commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where all students feel seen, understood and valued.

“World Read Aloud Day is a wonderful reminder that reading connects us, not just to stories, but to one another,” said Dr. Trish Wilson, assistant principal. “Pairing our read-alouds with a collaborative art project allowed our students to explore both literacy and emotional awareness in a meaningful way. The message, Every Feeling Belongs Here, truly represents the caring and inclusive culture we strive to nurture every day at the Sussex Consortium.”

Staff members were also encouraged to sign a banner to commit to reading aloud to their students and to recognize how important it is for children to have books read aloud to them. Books, bookmarks, tips on reading aloud, and activities/crafts related to World Read Aloud Day were shared with all staff and students.