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| The Port of Oakland Ambassador team at Lafayette
Elementary School. |
On Halloween morning, when all of the goblins and ghouls were still sound
asleep, seven Port of Oakland employees, most dressed in their Halloween
best, headed to Lafayette Elementary School in West Oakland. Miniature
witches, princesses, Spidermen, and other cartoon favorites were eagerly
waiting to hear a spooky story read by Port volunteers. Over 140 students
in grades 1–3 were spooked silly by the fun Halloween stories. “It
was so rewarding to see the kids’ faces light up when I walked into
the room,” says La Shaa Gatlin, who dressed as an African storyteller.
“They seem to be so excited when a visitor comes to their classroom.”
Halloween Read Aloud Day is one of the many events
in the Oakland public schools in which the Port participates throughout
the school year. This is the first Halloween Read Aloud Day in the Oakland
schools. HEROES (Helper Engaged in Reaching Our Excelling Schools) volunteer
program and Oakland Unified School District sponsor the event. Contact:
Curshanda Cusseaux at 627-1492.
