Missouri NEA Cat Tracks

Cat Costume Request | Cat Tour Application
download a printable flier (pdf)

Since 1999, Missouri NEA has sponsored a Cat in the Hat tour to help inspire reading in Missouri’s youth. The National Education Association’s nationwide reading celebration takes place each year on and around March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss. This year the Cat Tracks Tour will take place March 2-6, 2009. The Cat Tour cannot possibly include every Missouri school. However, MNEA offers its members the opportunity to borrow the authentic Cat in the Hat costume to use in reading promotions throughout the year. Submit your request for the Cat costume or for a stop on the Cat Tour. The deadline for submitting requests for the Cat Tour is January 2, 2009.

If you need ideas for celebrating Read Across America, visit http://www.mnea.org/classkids/raa.htm. If you have questions about appropriate events for the Cat in the Hat tour, contact MNEA Communications Director Debra Angstead, (573) 634-3202.

President’s Cat Tour Application
(March 2-6, 2009)

MNEA member’s name:

Local MNEA affiliate:

School name:

Street address:

City:

State: Zip:

Work phone: Home phone:

E-mail address:

Date of Event:
First Choice Second Choice

Time MNEA president and Cat in the Hat should arrive:

Time the event(s) will conclude:

Describe the event you have planned for the Cat in the Hat’s visit:


Explain how you will work to publicize the event through local media:

Thank you for submitting your request for the Cat Costume. Linda Bell will call to confirm. If you have any questions, contact her at (573) 634-3202.

Preparing for the Cat in the Hat Tour

Following is a list of guidelines to ensure a successful Cat in the Hat Tour and “a happy cat.”

1. Plan an activity. Successful Cat in the Hat Tour events in the past have usually centered on assemblies. Trivia contests, a “Who Wants to Be a Seussonaire?” game show, storytelling and skits promoting reading are effective assembly activities. The Cat in the Hat prefers to greet students at assemblies rather than to tour individual classrooms. Navigating classrooms and halls can be a challenge for him, and this approach often takes more time to reach fewer students. Assemblies should be no longer than 25 minutes.

2. Make arrangements for a Cat in the Hat dressing room near the assembly hall if possible.

3. Please allow a 10-minute segment in your event for MNEA President Greg Jung to speak to students about the importance of reading and share interesting facts about Dr. Seuss.

4. If you would like the Cat in the Hat to sit during your event, please provide a stool rather than a chair.

5. If you are hosting an assembly, please provide a CD player/portable stereo in the assembly room. The Cat usually brings music to play when he makes his entrance.

6. Keep in mind that the Cat does not navigate stairs. Make arrangements to keep activities on the main level of your school building.

7. Once you receive confirmation from MNEA that you have been selected as a “Cat stop” on the tour, notify your local association president, UniServ director, superintendent and principal of the event details.

8. Contact your local television station, newspaper and radio stations to invite media representatives to cover your event. Send them a news release a few days before the event.

9. Arrange for someone to take 35 mm color photographs of your event. Send your favorite prints to Missouri NEA, Something Better, 1810 E. Elm St., Jefferson City, MO 65101.

10. And most importantly, have fun!