Tag Archives: literacy

Businesses learn about role they can play in Read Houston Read

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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 →

Early college plus early childhood equals innovative family literacy event

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HISD’s East Early College High School (EECHS) recently held its very first family literacy day—but it wasn’t for the benefit of its own students.

Instead, the event was designed to get some of the district’s youngest pupils interested in reading, and all students from nearby Laurenzo Early Childhood Center were invited to attend.   Continue reading →

Central Office department dedicates time to volunteer for Read Houston Read

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The ELA secondary team was recognized by Superintendent Grier at the December Central office meeting. (Houston Independent School District)

The ELA secondary team was recognized by Superintendent Grier at the December Central office meeting. (Houston Independent School District)

Community members, parents, and former HISD students have signed up to read to a first-grader through HISD’s Read Houston Read campaign. Now HISD employees are also volunteering to read to a student, and one central office department is leading the charge.  Continue reading →

Don’t close that book just yet: Summer reading competition now has prizes

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HISD’s summer reading program just got a lot more competitive.

The district’s corporate partner, myON, has announced that it will be extending students’ access to its online library through Aug. 31 and offering prizes to students who read the largest number of books and/or spend the most time reading there. HISD joined forces with the company earlier this year to expand students’ access to age-appropriate reading materials.

HISD students who place in one of the following four categories will receive a free mini home library from Capstone: Continue reading →

Meet HISD’s new Literacy Director, Cindy Puryear

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On June 9, Cindy Puryear became HISD’s new director of literacy. We sat down with her recently to talk about how she overcame her own reading difficulties as a young person, when she first knew she would be a teacher, and what her goals are for the first year of Literacy By 3. Following is a condensed transcript of that conversation.

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Free camp helps high school students build reading, writing skills

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Do you have a rising freshman or sophomore who needs to boost their reading and writing skills? HISD is hosting a free Literacy Enrichment Camp to give them tools to help increase their end-of-course exam scores.

The eight-day camp will be held at Challenge Early College High School on the HCC Southwest Campus, 5601 West Loop South, July 21-24 and July 28-31. Participating students are expected to attend both weeks. The camp will be held 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day. If transportation assistance is needed, METRO cards will be provided. Lunch will be served daily. Continue reading →

Love of literacy brings out colorful characters

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School leaders dress up as favorite book character to bring attention to importance of reading

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. Continue reading →

Mayor: Read during summer to continue sharpening skills

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Houston Mayor Annise Parker stopped by Blackshear Elementary on Monday to encourage students to keep reading over the summer.

“I happen to think the No. 1 reason to like to read is because it’s fun,” Parker said. “You can read about different places. You can read about things that are completely imaginary.”

Parker said teachers can tell which students read over the summer and which ones didn’t because reading skills tend to fall back when children don’t read.

Officials from Houston ISD and the Houston Public Library told students, many sporting Cat in the Hat hats, about their summer reading programs. Students can participate in both programs without having to read separate books — and can gain separate sets of incentives.

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HISD, Barbara Bush Foundation team up to tackle literacy crisis

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The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation on Thursday unveiled a plan of action to boost literacy rates across people of all ages, and is partnering with the Houston Independent School District and other organizations to make literacy a top priority.

“We will not end the cycle of poverty until we end the cycle of low literacy,” said Bush Foundation President Julie Baker Finck in unveiling “Houston’s Literacy Crisis: A Blueprint for Community Action.”

“The blueprint’s purpose is to increase awareness of Houston’s prevalent literacy crisis, elevate literacy as a top priority, and mobilize the community into action,” she said.

The announcement follows the presentation of HISD’s comprehensive literacy plan – Literacy By 3 – to the Board of Education at a workshop last week. The plan engages students, teachers, parents, and community members around the goal of having every student reading with proficiency by Grade 3.

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