(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT — Nov. 7, 2025) — Classrooms across El Paso ISD came alive with stories, creativity, and reading joy as campuses celebrated the district’s annual Read Across the District (RAD) event on Friday, Nov. 7.
Hart Elementary School served as the official kickoff location, welcoming children’s author Lisa Caprelli, creator of the Unicorn Jazz series. Caprelli spent the morning meeting with students, answering questions, and sharing the inspiration behind her new book “The Flying Taco.” Students were excited to connect with a real author whose message encourages imagination, kindness, and embracing your unique gifts.
El Paso ISD Board Trustees Jack Loveridge and Mindy Sutton also joined the celebration and emphasized the importance of developing a lifelong love of books. Their visits added to the excitement as students experienced stories read by the district’s leaders.
While Hart hosted the kickoff, campuses across the district held their own RAD celebrations, filling classrooms and libraries with guest readers, themed activities, and schoolwide reading moments. The districtwide effort reflects El Paso ISD’s strong commitment to literacy, a priority reinforced by recent Texas Education Agency (TEA) accountability data showing gains in reading and language arts across multiple campuses.
“Read Across the District is one of our most cherished literacy traditions because it brings our schools and community together through the simple joy of reading,” said Chief Academic Officer Adalberto Garcia. “Events like this help students see that reading is not just an academic skill, it’s something that opens doors, sparks imagination, and connects us.”
SEE MORE PHOTOS: El Paso ISD Read Across the District 2025
As part of the district’s ongoing emphasis on early literacy, El Paso ISD is also relaunching Buenas Noches, El Paso, a beloved initiative that brings nightly storytime into homes across the community. Each episode features an EPISD leader or notable El Pasoan reading a children’s book aloud, offering families a warm and meaningful way to share reading time together.
With enthusiastic participation from students, staff, families, and community partners, this year’s Read Across the District once again showcased the power of books to inspire and unite learners of all ages.