CFISD Board of Trustees members, district administrators and business partners joined the National Education Association (NEA) in the annual Read Across America celebration the week of Feb. 26-March 2 by reading Dr. Seuss books to elementary school students throughout the district.
www.cfisd.net/en/Readers visited classrooms and campus libraries during the first week of March, which corresponds with Dr. Seuss’ birthday (March 2). The celebration is spearheaded by Irene Rangel, a first-grade bilingual teacher at Reed Elementary School.CFISD Board member Debbie Blackshear sported her The Cat in the Hat garb as she participated by reading to students at Ault, Bane, Danish and Swenke elementary schools.“Everyone loves Dr. Seuss and it’s so much fun reading to the kids, wearing the silly hat and making them laugh,” Blackshear said. “Just remembering a great author and series of books that our kids have grown up with for generations. It’s so much fun seeing the kids get so excited and seeing their smiles and laughs.”Dr. Mark Henry, CFISD superintendent of schools, made visits to Kirk and Gleason elementary schools.“Anything that inspires children to read is great because the key to success – not just in school – is reading,” he said. “Whether it’s math, science, social studies, English or language arts, it all goes back to reading. The interaction is the best part of the job – being able to have contact with students. It makes you younger to feel the energy coming from them.”A number of other CFISD representatives and business partners read or planned to read to students during Read Across American season:Bob Covey, Board vice president – Keith, Lamkin, Sheridan and Swenke elementary schoolsDon Ryan, Board member – Reed Elementary SchoolDarcy Mingoia, Board member – Hancock Elementary SchoolTom Jackson, Board member – Bang, Lowery and Fiest elementary schoolsDr. Linda Macias, associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction and accountability – Reed Elementary SchoolNicole Ray, assistant superintendent of communications and community relations – Francone Elementary SchoolLeslie Francis, director of marketing and business relations – Adam Elementary SchoolKatie Barckholtz, nutrition services marketing and special diet coordinator – Fiest Elementary SchoolMichelle Voelkel, nutrition services field supervisor – Bang Elementary SchoolNona Garcia, CFISD police officer – Tipps and Birkes elementary schoolsCenterPoint Energy representatives – Holmsley Elementary School.In addition to the campus visits and reading, CFISD’s nutrition services department continued an annual tradition of providing green-colored eggs in students’ breakfasts on March 2 as a tribute to Dr. Seuss’ famous book, Green Eggs and Ham.