Baker serves ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ in Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT – Gov. Charlie Baker didn?t have to travel far Monday to read to elementary-school students in his hometown.The governor?s home on Monument Avenue is mere yards from the Hadley School, where he stopped in first thing in the morning to read to 296 students and 50 staff members as part of “Read Across America” Day.In memory of Dr. Seuss? birthday, he chose to read the interactive “Green Eggs and Ham.”Baker said he chose that book for the repetition and opportunities to get the children to participate. And they responded by yelling out phrases from the audience.?There were a bunch of different possibilities at hand,” Baker said. “My three children went to Hadley, and it was a wonderful experience for them. I was an English major (as a) Harvard undergrad, and reading is the gateway and pathway to all important skills.”Baker?s son, A.J., 21, attends Union College in Schenectady, N.Y.; and his daughter, Caroline, 17, is a senior at Governor?s Academy in Byfield. He also has a son Charlie, 21.Baker joked that Caroline will attend college as far away as possible from him next year.Students and staff were excited to welcome the governor. Principal Stacy A. Phelan said although the school is 103 years old, it is still going strong.?Since it?s Dr. Seuss? birthday, we devoted a full day to promote literacy with Seuss as the author,” Phelan said. “Having Gov. Baker come here really solidified how important reading is.”Children dressed up as their favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Thing 1 and Thing 2 with their respective white and red high-top hats.Baker left the children with a word of advice.?Before you go onto enjoy your day, I want to say Hadley is a wonderful place for all of you kids,” Baker said. “All I can say to all of you is find time to read, and I hope you have a great day.”Fourth-grade student Ana Tarason said she was excited to hear the news when Baker was elected Jan. 8.?It was nice,” Tarason said. “I like to hear the governor speak. He said he was going to help out everyone in the school to make the school system better.”She said the book Baker chose was one of her favorites by Seuss.Debi Arson, literacy specialist, said Baker chose to sit on the floor in order to be more interactive and to feel more connected to the children.Other guest readers, including police and firefighters, arrived at 10 a.m., and the smaller children had a reading buddy. The second-graders read to the kindergarten students; the third-graders read to first-graders, and kindergarten teachers read to the fourth-graders.Arson was the resource to help get Baker to Hadley.?The other interesting thing is Ed Palleschi, who works for Baker, and I both went to Hadley and Swampscott High School together. Palleschi was our class president,” she said.Second-grader Skye Daley said she enjoyed Baker?s appearance.?I liked it,” Daley said. “I liked yelling ?Sam, I am,? ?Anywhere,? and ?Green eggs and ham? as loudly as I could in the auditorium.?”Registered nurse Alison Oxton also enjoyed the morning.?I thought it was a great way to encourage young readers,” Oxton said.