Tag Archives: Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation

HISD mourns loss of former First Lady and literacy champion Barbara Bush

Barbara Bush reads to kindergartners at Poe Elementary School in October 2015.

It is with sorrow that we regard the passing of Mrs. Barbara Bush. It is with joy that we celebrate a life so well lived and an exemplary model of advocacy for children.

Her vigorous pursuit of literacy for all children is indeed but a small testament to the person she was and to what she stood for.

Mrs. Bush’s literacy efforts will live through many generations of well-read children who as adults will instill those skills in their children thereby sustaining her never ending legacy.

The HISD Board of Education sends our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of First Lady Barbara Bush and will always be grateful for their sharing her with us and the many children she served.

Barbara and Neil Bush visit Walnut Bend ES to kick off ‘National Read Aloud Month’

March is National Read Aloud Month, and Barbara Bush and her son Neil were at Walnut Bend Elementary School on March 2, 2016, to bring attention to the annual observance. The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation has joined forces with HISD and 14 other Houston literacy organizations to increase awareness of the importance of reading to children so that they can learn, grow, and succeed.

“It’s so great to see people coming together around literacy,” said Neil Bush. “We shamelessly use my mother to draw attention to the importance of literacy.”

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Walnut Bend students learn the love of reading from community volunteers

Neil Bush with the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation reads to a class at Walnut Bend ES

Neil Bush with the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation reads to a class at Walnut Bend ES

Pre-K and first-graders at Walnut Bend Elementary celebrated the love of reading Monday with the help of volunteers from Phillips 66 and the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. The day marked the birthday of Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, and was National Read Across America Day.

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Businesses learn about role they can play in Read Houston Read

Read Houston Read volunteer Fatima Barnett works with a student at Woodson Elementary School, November 18, 2014. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Representatives from dozens of local businesses gathered Friday, Jan. 9 to learn how their companies could help Houston ISD first-graders learn how to read. It only takes 30 minutes per week, and volunteers can make a difference without ever leaving their desk.

Neil Bush, chairman of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and a Read Houston Read volunteer, said he plays games, including an educational version of Tic-Tac-Toe, with his assigned student, Savannah. They also go through digital flash cards and read a book each session. Continue reading →

HISD, Neil Bush encourage Houstonians to give back by reading to students

Community asked to spend at least 30 minutes a week reading to a child

HISD and the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation encouraged Houstonians to volunteer for the Read Houston Read literacy program in honor of ‘Giving Tuesday’ — a day specifically established to celebrate generosity and give back.

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