The Alternative Press

ROSELAND, NJ -  “You heard it right the school has gone bananas! It’s wear your pajamas to school day!” expressed a note sent home to families from Lester C. Noecker Elementary School’s principal Laura Dacosta. As part of their Read Across America Week celebration in Roseland, the school embraced the theme of Dan Gutman’s “Ms. Hannah is Bananas,” book from his “My Weird School” series and encouraged the kids to come to school in their nightwear.

Pre-K Teacher Marie Hardenberg got into the spirit and came to school in her PJ’s as did a student in her afternoon class, Emma Rylie Casper.

Pre-K Teacher Marie Hardenberg and Emma Rylie Casper  Credit: Nancy Santero

Pre-K students Preethi and Anjali Sivaraju spent their class time feeling comfortable in their their cozy pajamas and slippers.

Preethi Sivaraju and Anjali Sivaraju  Credit: Nancy Santero


Roseland kindergartners Grace and Noelle Stewart enjoyed the day in their Minnie Mouse and Hello Kitty pajamas.

Grace Stewart and Noelle Stewart. Credit: Nancy Santero


Jake Gould, in sixth grade at Noecker, came to school enjoying his comfortable hockey pajamas.

Jake Gould  Credit: Nancy Santero

A full schedule of the week’s events can be found in this article, Noecker School Celebrates a Wacky Read Across America Week


Sponsored by the National Education Association, the annual Read Across America program is the country’s largest reading celebration with the intention of highlighting the importance of developing a love for reading at an early age. The program began in 1997 through a partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House.


For further information:
Roseland Board of Education
Superintendent: Jeffrey S. Rutzky
Principal: Laura Dacosta
Lester C. Noecker School
100 Passaic Avenue
Roseland, New Jersey 07068
973-226-7644
Website