John F. Kennedy Elementary School Celebrates Roarin’ Reading Day with Special Guest Readers
On Friday, November 13, 2026, John F. Kennedy Elementary School welcomed special guest readers into its classrooms for a day dedicated to celebrating the joy of reading and the power of connection.
Among the guest readers were Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Anna Stubblefield, along with Central Office staff and district leaders.
Guest readers were invited to choose from two books provided by classroom teachers or bring a favorite book of their own to share with students.
Through this experience, students had the opportunity to enjoy stories, engage with new readers, and experience the excitement that comes from sharing a love of literacy.
“Having district leaders step into our classrooms, spend time with students, and volunteer their time to promote literacy sends a powerful message. It demonstrates that literacy is a shared priority and that we are all invested in the success of our scholars,” said John F. Kennedy Elementary Principal Chantel Mason.
The day was made even more special by the participation of Arrowhead Middle School Family and Community Engagement Specialist (FACES) Andrea Tribbitt, who is also a published author.
Ms. Tribbitt authored The Cat's Eye in the Sky, which was published in 2017. The story follows a young boy who struggles to fall asleep at night. While the rest of his family easily drifts off to sleep, he finds himself wide awake.
Eventually, he discovers that he can only fall asleep while looking at the moon, specifically when it appears as a crescent. He comes to refer to the crescent-shaped moon as "the cat's eye in the sky."
Stories like Ms. Tribbitt's, along with district leaders taking the time to visit classrooms and share their love of reading, helped make Roarin’ Reading Day a success.
“Since launching this initiative in my first year as a principal at JFK, I continue to feel honored and grateful that our volunteers are willing to step away from their busy schedules to invest time in our teachers and scholars. It is a reminder that it truly takes a village to support our scholars, and we are grateful for everyone who helped make the day special,” Principal Mason said.