Two HISD elementary schools got “taken over” by tax, audit, advisory, and consulting professionals from a firm in downtown Houston on June 6, when representatives from Deloitte traded their suits and briefcases for T-shirts, sensible shoes, and a custom curriculum dedicated to literacy.
Deloitte employees came to Pugh and Browning elementary schools that day as a part of the company’s 15th annual IMPACT Day of community service, which usually benefits other HISD campuses with whom Deloitte has on-going partnerships.
The Deloitte Summer Reading service project was inspired by the firm’s close relationship with the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, which strives to expand awareness of the importance of literacy as a key to success and increase the literacy rate in the city of Houston.
Pugh and Browning each had about 25 Deloitte volunteers leading their summer school classes in literacy activities that day. Volunteer “teachers” offered a curriculum that was fun and engaging, and that encouraged students to enjoy reading throughout the summer. Students and volunteers alike had a blast reading books, making crafts, and playing “spelling hopscotch” together.
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At the end of the day, every Pugh and Browning student went home with a new book, donated by McGraw-Hill Education, and a letter urging parents to read with their children for 20 minutes a day.
“I don’t know how teachers say goodbye after a whole school year,” said one volunteer, who had already grown attached to her students.
I was one of the volunteers and it was such a rewarding experience! The kids were fantastic and really engaged; a real testament to the teachers’ commitment to our future generation.
As a volunteer, I was inspired by the students. Seeing them having fun and wanting to play definition bingo over and over was an expression of their desire to learn. Reading and learning can be fun. Even the teacher wanted to play. Encouraging a student to stand before the class, which he said, I can? I said, yes. To see him stand before the class, teaming with other students, and exceling with ideas and expressing his remembrance of the story was a shining moment for him. He was building confidence in himself. I was inspired to be a tutor for students. It was a Win-Win moment.