Sumac celebrates Dr. Seuss' birthday
Students came in pj's to annual breakfast
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

LAURA SPARKS/Special to the Acorn NO GREEN EGGS AND HAM- From left, Richard Mandel, Gary Rich, Marty Schwartz and Randy Blisland flip pancakes at Sumac Elementary School's annual Dr. Seuss Pancake Breakfast.

Teachers, students and parents rolled out of bed and into Sumac Elementary School's multipurpose room last week to chow down on pancakes, celebrate everything Dr. Seuss, and raise money for school and community programs.

The school community came to the student council-sponsored March 14 event dressed in pajamas, fuzzy slippers and comfy robes. Some students clutched love-worn teddy bears and dolls while they filled up on a hearty breakfast before the start of their school day.

Hillary Boss, a fourth/fifthgrade teacher at the Agoura Hills school and adviser of the student council, oversaw the third annual event.

Although Dr. Seuss's birthday had passed, the morning was dedicated to the children's author.

Student council members organized the event over several months, but their fathers stepped in as chefs, skillfully flipping pancakes on outside grills for the long line of hungry children and parents.

"I had the most fun eating the pancakes," said Emily, a fourthgrade student who didn't want her last name printed. "I had strawberries, chocolate chips and a lot of syrup. And I didn't have to get dressed this morning."

Besides pancakes, bagels and cream cheese, and orange juice for $3, the council sold Starbucks coffee for an additional dollar.

The bulk of the money raised at the event will pay for a special school gift, but Chloe Bilsland, the council's fifth-grade treasurer, said a portion will be donated to a local group. Boss said student council members decided to contribute money to either the Agoura Animal Shelter or the Agoura Hills Library.

Lola Stone, a member of the school's Parent Faculty Club, said that in the past the school has raised more than $1,500.

Stone said the breakfast over the last two years has raised enough money to purchase a podium for the multipurpose room and a bench for the grassy area in the upper playground.