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EPISD Reads Across the District
(ZAVALA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL -- Nov. 17, 2017) — At precisely 10 a.m. on Friday morning, students throughout EPISD dropped everything they were doing, picked up a book and read for 30 minutes for pure fun … no tests or grades, just the love of reading.
Books took students to far-away lands with characters like Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, Junie B. Jones and Dr. Seuss, all a part of EPISD’s annual Read Across the District, or RAD, initiative.
EPISD began RAD four years ago combining the literacy initiative with district goals to engage the community. Campuses throughout EPISD drew civic leaders, business partners, celebrity readers and other volunteers to their schools to read to students. Older students picked up their digital devices or paperbacks to read for pure enjoyment during the half-hour event.
Superintendent Juan Cabrera kicked off RAD at Zavala Elementary School before heading to a second grade classroom to read to students. Dozens of community members, Jefferson High School cheerleaders and the drum corps also visited Zavala to read to students.
“Reading is the foundation of all learning,” Cabrera said. “We want to emphasize that in the district today and everyday.”
EPISD began RAD four years ago combining the literacy initiative with district goals to engage the community. Campuses throughout EPISD drew civic leaders, business partners, celebrity readers and other volunteers to their schools to read to students. Older students picked up their digital devices or paperbacks to read for pure enjoyment during the half-hour event.
“We are grateful for our community partners who participate in RAD and share with our students their love of reading,” Cabrera said. “We want to encourage students to read outside the classroom and help them develop a lifelong love of reading.”
Fifth grader Dylan Mata represented the student body during the kick off, and thanked the superintendent and the volunteers for coming to Zavala.
“It’s important to read because you can get cooler jobs and cooler things in life,” he said.
The fifth grader, who shared the stage with fourth grader Jemmy Correa, said he makes sure to read everyday.
“I like chapter books especially the Star Wars books,” he said.
Jemmy also loves to read – especially books by Dr. Seuss.
“It's important to read because you can understand things about the world and life,” she said. “You also learn new words and other new things.”
EPISD began RAD four years ago combining the literacy initiative with district goals to engage the community. Campuses throughout EPISD drew civic leaders, business partners, celebrity readers and other volunteers to their schools to read to students.
Video by Raymond Jackson/EPISD
Photos by Leonel Monroy