Wareham Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Barry Rabinovitch says the best way to cure a bad day is to go read to some first graders.

That's what he did on Friday, November 18, at Minot Forest Elementary as part of "A Salute to Reading is Fundamental."

"A Salute to RIF" read-aloud events were celebrated in schools from November 14 to 18. Readers this year included everyone from Rabinovitch to Onset Fire Department Chief Howard Andersen to customers and employees of Eastern Bank.

Joanne Byron, a Wareham native and founder of "A Salute to RIF," said the guest readers "bring the energy" to get kids excited about reading as much and as often as they can.

Rose Berry, Vice President of Eastern Bank in Wareham, took over coordinating the event in Wareham this year because she enjoyed being a reader so much last year.

"It's fulfilling, fun, enjoyable, relaxing," Berry said, adding that the readers get as much out of the experience as the students do. "It takes you away from reality a bit."

"A Salute to RIF" is the Massachusetts organization which helps support the literacy goals of Reading is Fundamental, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving literacy in America. Wareham was one of the first towns in Massachusetts to feature the program because of Byron's close ties to the area. The event is held for students from preschool to fifth grade at the East Wareham, Hammond, Decas, and Minot Forest elementary schools.

"Instruction alone does not make a skilled reader," Byron said, adding that some kids need a prominent figure to get them excited about reading and school.

Some readers come in and read from a book selected by the teacher, while others come prepared with their own books. Some readers even bring props to engage the kids.

"There are some people that always go above and beyond," Berry said.

Rabinovitch, who entertained the first-graders with "Turkey Trouble" by Wendi Silvano, has participated in the event in previous years and while he fills in where he's needed, he said he likes reading to the younger kids the most.

In addition to reading aloud and showing students the illustrations, Rabinovitch also asked questions about what the students thought would happen in the story to help develop their critical thinking skills.