School leaders dress up as favorite book character to bring attention to importance of reading
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The second day of the HISD Summer Leadership Institute attracted some colorful characters to share their love of reading, including Fancy Nancy, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Willy Wonka.
As part of the institute’s focus on Literacy By 3, the district’s comprehensive K-12 literacy initiative, school leaders and district administrators were asked to dress up as their favorite literary character and model their costumes in a fashion show for a chance to win a prize. The lunchtime costume contest brought out the creativity of many principals, who dressed up as characters ranging from the Cat in the Hat to Mary Poppins.
Principals and staff members from several schools also teamed up for the contest, including Sam Houston Math, Science & Technology Center Principal Rupak Gandhi and his administrative staff, who dressed up as the main characters from The Great Gatsby, including Daisy Buchanan, Nick Carraway, and Jay Gatsby himself. Staff from McNamara Elementary donned outfits from the popular book Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, while the principals and administrators fromRoberts, Kolter, Wainwright, and Lovett elementary schools joined forces to dress as “Twelve Little Girls in Two Straight Lines” from the book Madeline.
Attendees at the Summer Leadership Institute are also being asked to donate their favorite book and to inscribe a special message in the front title page describing why the book is important to them. The books will be passed on as a special gift to an HISD student for a home library.
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If these leaders could actually let their students have fun with reading and dress up like these characters during the school year and do a little school performance, all students from Pre-K to 5th grade may enjoy reading more throughout the school year and beyond. Some only have it for the younger grades but it is important that even the older kids get a chance to act out their favorite character. It would also help their self-esteem and creativity.