Category Archives: Literacy

Books Between Kids donates millionth book to HISD student 

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There were bubble machines, free books, and lots of exuberant children at Piney Point Elementary School recently, because Books Between Kids was there to celebrate the presentation of the one-millionth book to an HISD student.

Second-grader Justin Ikwuagwu was the lucky boy, and he seemed a bit overwhelmed by the attention. As Books Between Kids staff and volunteers gathered round for pictures, Justin held up the book, “How Much is a Million?” and smiled shyly.  Continue reading →

Books Between Kids donates thousands of books to HISD students

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Since 2013, Books Between Kids has been providing gently used books to HISD elementary school children. The number of HISD schools that have benefited from their generosity has grown to 69 schools this year, and on May 23, they will give away their millionth book to an HISD student at Piney Point ES.

On May 16, students at Braeburn ES were busy browsing the tables of books arranged by grade level. Books Between Kids Co-Founders Amy Barnes and Sandra Ahlhorn looked on, along with a number of long-time volunteers.

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Summer readers can boost knowledge, win rewards  

It doesn’t take long for students to lose some of the academic progress they have made during the school year by sitting idle over the summer, so HISD is challenging students to use the power of reading to combat the dreaded “summer slide.”

Below are a number of ways to access thousands of books absolutely free through the district’s Summer Reading Program.

”It’s been proven through research, experience, and time that students lose at least three months of learning during the summer if they don’t engage in reading over the summer break,” said HISD’s Library Media Services Manager Janice Newsum.  Continue reading →

Engineering firm awards $30,000 to improve Benavidez ES library

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Jacobs, an engineering firm, presented Benavidez Elementary School with a check for $30,000 to use to buy books and furniture for the school’s library. Jacobs has been partnering with Benavidez for nearly 25 years in a number of ways, including tutoring students and supporting teachers.

“Thank you so much for your generous donation to help improve our students’ reading,” said Principal Zabeth Parra-Malek. “If they can read, they can do math, science, social studies, technology, anything. Look around—can you imagine what this library will look like with all those books?”  Continue reading →

Celebrating Read Across America with Dr. Seuss

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This year’s Read Across America day fell on Dr. Seuss’s 113th birthday, and Anderson Elementary School went all out to celebrate the beloved author and the 20th annual Read Across America day. Some three dozen volunteers were honored at a breakfast of green eggs and ham, and other breakfast treats before spreading out to various classrooms to read Dr. Seuss books to students.

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New literacy initiatives put more books into the hands of HISD students 

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Two new literacy initiatives – a literacy bus and “My Home Library”– were unveiled by HISD on Tuesday, Jan. 17 with the goal of closing the literacy gap for economically disadvantage children in the district.

The Astros Foundation, Philips 66, and HISD are partnering to send the “Literacy Bus” on the road to distribute age-appropriate books to children in grades K-5 at various city-owned baseball and softball parks renovated by the Astros Foundation as part of its Community Leaders Program. These parks are located within HISD boundaries and serve more than 1,200 Houston-area children each year. The Literacy Bus is a mobile interactive bus that will encourage family reading in Houston-area communities.

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Three libraries premiere new and improved features

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Three new and improved libraries were unveiled on Wednesday at Attucks Middle School, Cullen Middle School, and Yates High School.

The three libraries were updated through funding as well as donations facilitated by District IV Trustee Jolanda Jones, including a special collection at Cullen Middle School from the NAACP of Houston featuring publications about African-American scientists and inventors that focus on STEM-related subjects. The Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation also donated 1,200 to both Attucks and Cullen middle schools, which will be delivered next week.

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HISD, Houston Public Library create virtual library card for students

The Learning Link allows students to access library resources at school and home

The Houston Independent School District announced on Monday with the Houston Public Library that every HISD student can now access numerous library resources at school and home through a new virtual library card known as the Learning Link.

Through the Learning Link, students will have free, 24/7 access to the Houston Public Library’s assortment of books and resources at any library location, and at school and home through the district’s HUB, HISD’s online teaching and learning platform. Students can use a laptop, tablet or smart phone to access more than one million books, e-books, magazines and research materials, as well as online resources and complimentary Wi-Fi. All HISD students will be automatically enrolled in the program and can use their student ID as their library account number to access these resources. Continue reading →

Read Houston Read volunteer opportunities available 

Just one hour a week can make a difference in a child’s life

HISD’s Read Houston Read program is kicking off for the 2016-17 school year, and volunteers are needed once a week to read to a first-grade student — either in person or online.

The goal of Read Houston Read, which is in its third year, is to instill a love of reading in children, while giving Houstonians an opportunity to give back to their community. The program is part of the district’s Literacy by 3 movement, which aims to have all students reading at or above grade level by the end of third grade.

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