On Oct. 14, Fonda-Fultonville Elementary kicked off its annual school-wide reading theme with a Rock ‘n Read Concert, featuring Elvis and Priscilla Presley, The Blues Brothers, The Readles, and The Bookettes. The event was hosted by the one and only Cher, and all teachers and students in grades K-4 were amazed by the performances.

In the opening scene, Lu Lu Librarian discussed books that feature rock and roll performers from the 1950s,1960s and beyond. Following a dream sequence, LuLu was transformed into Cher and opened the show to the elation of her screaming fans. To the delight of the crowd, The Readles sang their opening number, “All You Need Are Books,” as the Bookettes danced and sang backup. Then Elvis, sporting a white jumpsuit and cape, drove his lovely wife, Priscilla, on stage in a pink Cadillac. After posing for the fans, Elvis belted out his hit tune, “I Ain’t Nothin’ But a Bookworm, Reading All the Time.” The fans screamed and swooned as Elvis leaped from the stage and ran up and down the aisles.

Following Elvis’s number, Priscilla and Cher explained the reading program to the students. “The goal of our ‘Rock ‘n Read’ program is for all of you to read 2.5 million minutes of at-home reading. You are the best students in the world, and I know you can do it,” beamed Priscilla in her soft, sparkling Southern voice. The screaming crowd assured Priscilla and Cher that they would meet the reading goal.

Then The Readles belted out their big hit “I Want to Read My Book,” a testament to the virtues of reading. Next, The Blues Brothers entered center stage to croon their big hit “I’m Your Book Pal” with some singing help from Cher. During their number The Blue Brothers, Jake and Elwood, ran up and down the aisles thrilling the crowd. For the grand finale “R.E.A.D. in the U.S.A,” all of the performers gathered on stage to backup Cher’s lead vocals.

During the curtain calls, the fans were chanting, “Elvis, Elvis, Elvis…” Hearing their calls, Elvis flew on stage and grabbed the microphone. “Boys and girls, boys and girls, I need you to listen. I ran all the way from the Fulton County Airport to tell you this. I need you to read and get those 2.5 million minutes, and I going to come back in June and make sure that each and every one of you has done their reading.” Following his speech, Elvis greeted his adoring fans and signed autographs. Priscilla and Cher greeted fans in the elementary building and also signed autographs.

All students are encouraged to read 10 to 20 minutes each night in order for us to meet our goal of 2.5 million minutes of at-home reading. Last year, the students read just over 2,009,000 minutes. This year, special “Rock ‘n Read” activities include an Elvis look-a-like day, hoola hoop contest, Rock ‘n Read rocking chair reading, and a sock hop. All celebrity performers have vowed to return to Fonda-Fultonville Elementary to help the students meet their reading goal. All “Rock ‘n Read” events are sponsored by the Elementary Character Education Committee.

The Performers:

• The Readles - Barb Pegrum, Patty Turnbull, Roxanne Goodale, Melanie Capron, Teresa Sasso, and Janet Greco.
• The Bookettes - R – Cindy Monk, E – Shannon Sauve, A – Alicia Magruder, D – Jen Zajaceskowski
• The Blues Brothers - Jake – Erik Betz., Elwood – Jim Murray
• Elvis and Priscilla Presley - Erik Betz and Alicia Henry
• Cher - Sue Wolf

Thanks to Barb Pegrum and Barb Sanders (music), Jim Lathers (audio/technical), Kathy Bushek, Bobbie Conwall, Chuck Goebel (artwork), Donna Bailey (stage direction) and Sue Wolf (lyrics/script).

<back