SAISD: SAISD And Valero Representatives Read To Elementary School Students On World Read Aloud Day

Press release from the San Antonio ISD:

01/31/2022

Jan. 31, 2022

What:
SAISD and Valero representatives read to elementary school students on World Read Aloud Day

Event kicks off Classroom Libraries Project coordinated by The Leaders Readers Network and funded by Valero at J.T. Brackenridge Elementary

Who:

Readers:
Alex Teis, Valero, Community Investment & Engagement Advisor
Monica Serna, Valero, Manager, Community Investment & Engagement
Robert Jaklich, Ed. D., SAISD Superintendent
Patti Salzmann, SAISD Deputy Superintendent
Olivia Hernandez, Ed. D., SAISD Assistant Superintendent (retired)
Esme Alday, SAISD Executive Director, Dual Language, ESL, and Migrant

Spokespeople:
Chris McGilvery, Executive Director, The Leaders Readers Network
Rosanna Guzman, Vice President of Book Project, The Leaders Readers Network
Veronica Hellamns, SAISD Director, Elementary Reading-Language Arts
Marco Morales, J.T. Brackenridge Elementary School Principal

When: Feb. 2 (Wed), 1:15 p.m.

Where: J.T. Brackenridge Elementary School, 1214 Guadalupe St., 78207

San Antonio ISD and Valero representatives will join 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 will hear the animated voices of adults reading “Waiting for the Bibilioburro/Esparando el Biblioburro,” about a unique mobile library that journeys over mountains and through valleys to bring literacy and culture to rural Columbia.   

The read aloud event kicks off the Classroom Libraries Project and the Teacher Recognition Project, which is coordinated by The Leaders Readers Network. The nonprofit recently received a grant of $22,900 from Valero to implement the initiatives at J. T. Brackenrdge 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 goal of these initiatives is 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.

This press release was produced by San Antonio ISD. The views expressed here are the author’s own.