The Rendell Center Read Aloud Program came to the Philadelphia Charter School for Arts & Sciences, at Large and Dyre streets in Northwood.
The program, planned in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Bar Association, was intended to honor Veterans Day, bridge the gap between veterans and students and instill an appreciation for service and citizenship.
The school welcomed five veterans: Army Master Sgt. Derek Melendez and his wife Shelly Ann, a lawyer and Army veteran; Alex Lassoff, a lawyer and Army veteran; Lisa Verdon, a Marine veteran; and Wesley Payne, a lawyer and Army veteran.
The veterans read Hero Mom and Hero Dad to first- and second-graders and answered questions.
Beth Specker, executive director of the Rendell Center, was in attendance.
Fox 29’s Bob Kelly was on hand for a live report in a second-grade classroom, where the students colored for Veterans Day and celebrated the 8th birthday of classmate Semaj Clause. ••
