San Antonio ISD and Valero representatives joined millions around the globe in celebrating the power of reading aloud on the 13th annual World Read Aloud Day, celebrated this year on Feb. 2, 2022. Young students in kindergarten and first grade classrooms at J. T. Brackenridge Elementary School heard the animated voices of adults reading “Waiting for the Biblioburro/Esperando el Biblioburro,” about a unique mobile library that journeys over mountains and through valleys to bring books to rural Colombia.
The read aloud event kicked off the Classroom Libraries Project and the Teacher Recognition Project, which are coordinated by The Leaders Readers Network. The nonprofit recently received a grant of $22,900 from Valero to implement the initiatives at J. T. Brackenridge Elementary School.
Additional funders, First Book and IECA Foundation, are underwriting four additional SAISD schools, including Herff and Smith elementaries and Martin Luther King and Will Rogers academies.
As a result of the grants, 1,368 SAISD students in kindergarten through fifth grade will participate in weekly literacy activities and receive brand new books for both classroom libraries and children’s home libraries this school year. Books will represent the culture and diversity of the students, enabling them to better relate to the characters and envision themselves in the stories.
Additionally, 77 SAISD teachers will be provided simple and meaningful lessons aligned to the scope and sequence of their classroom’s literacy plans. This additional support will reduce planning time and give teachers more time to focus on their students. Teachers also will be recognized throughout the year with simple gifts and snacks as they drive change in their classrooms and schools.
The goals of these initiatives are to improve reading motivation, increase sense of belonging, bolster literacy skills, and provide a sense of community support for teachers.
Launched in 2013, The Leaders Readers Network provides students from all backgrounds the opportunity to fall in love with reading and harness their educational potential. The organization’s work also ensures educators feel valued for their hard work inspiring their students to be lifelong learners and readers.
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