El Paso ISD schools were a hub of literary activity last Friday as students and staff alike celebrated the district's Read Across the District (RAD) event, a spokesperson announced. Hart Elementary had the distinction of being the kickoff spot, hosting children's author Lisa Caprelli, known for her Unicorn Jazz series, who entertained students with her latest work, "The Flying Taco," and talked about harnessing creativity.
Students got the opportunity to meet Caprelli and delve into her thoughts, their questions ranging from her inspirations to the intricacies of her characters, which wasn’t just exciting for the kids but it also brought a tangible sense of excitement to the act of reading itself, a nod to the broader goal of the district to foster a lifelong appreciation for literature among its students. To add to the fanfare, EPISD Board Trustees Jack Loveridge and Mindy Sutton dropped in, turning pages and sharing stories with the young listeners.
While Hart Elementary was the center of the kick-off celebrations, the RAD festivities were districtwide; other schools were not quiet, instead they buzzed with activities including themed readings, and guest readers popping up in classrooms and libraries. According to El Paso ISD, the initiative is in response to TEA accountability data, which reported gains in reading and language arts, signaling a step forward for the district.
"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," Chief Academic Officer Adalberto Garcia told El Paso ISD, stressing the role of reading in not only academic achievement but also as a conduit for sparking the imagination and fostering connections. In addition, El Paso ISD has reintroduced the Buenas Noches, El Paso initiative, a nightly storytime feature that is not just another effort to emphasize early literacy development, but also seeks to provide a shared, meaningful reading experience for families and children across El Paso.
