On Saturday, March 4, Read for Me, Dallas ISD’s culminating event for Dallas Reads, celebrated literacy with keynote speakers, book-centered activities, celebrity authors, and more. Dallas Reads is the Language and Literacy initiative that highlights the importance of literacy through community partnerships and interactive events throughout the year.
Read for Me was a free event that featured literacy sessions for students of all ages and their families from across the district and the metroplex. More than 1,500 students, parents, teachers, and presenters attended and over 8,000 books were distributed.
The event launched with Brandon Carr, cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys, serving as the kick-off speaker. Approximately 60 literacy sessions then offered the opportunity to meet renowned authors, explore the complexities of multiple languages, and participate in interactive reading activities. Special guests included Dallas ISD Trustees Lew Blackburn and Joyce Foreman, Texas Rangers Vice President Richard “Hoggy” Price, authors Michelle Staubach Grimes and Sylvia Vardell, and even Clifford the Big Red Dog.
Susan Hernandez, Dallas ISD executive director of Language and Literacy, called the event a huge success.
“Dallas Reads is a celebration of literacy that helps books and reading come alive for students and their families,” Hernandez said. “We are very grateful to our sponsors, participants, volunteers, and families for making the day so special.”
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Carr Cares, KPMG, Achieve3000, Warren Instructional Network, Alliance AFT, McGraw Hill, Santillana, Scholastic, the Barbara Bush Foundation, and Pearson provided lead sponsorships for the event. More than 100 Dallas ISD staff and 40 outside volunteers helped support the event.
