City Of Fort Worth: Community Program Reminds Kids: Readers Become Leaders

Dallas TX

25 January, 2022

4:58 PM

Description

Press release from City of Fort Worth: January 25, 2022 The Readers Become Leaders program began this week to encourage students in grades K-5 to read on a consistent basis. A kickoff event at Harlean Beal Elementary featured Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Kent P. Scribner and Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. At the conclusion of Monday's event, TCU athletes and Clifford the Big Red Dog visited classrooms, and athletes read to students. The program is an NCAA initiative in partnership with the National Collegiate Women's Gymnastics Championships, the Fort Worth Sports Commission and FWISD. More than 41,000 FWISD students participated in the program the past three years, reading a combined 14 million-plus minutes, making it the biggest NCAA community outreach program in history. "We are extremely proud of our collaboration with the NCAA and Fort Worth ISD, particularly in helping them achieve their academic goals, which ultimately helps them succeed in school and beyond," said Jason Sands, director of the Fort Worth Sports Commission, a division of Visit Fort Worth. "The positive impact of this program is a perfect example of how we are able to leverage these high-profile events to have a positive impact on the community." The 2022 program lasts for 10 weeks. The program has 680 classrooms signed up, equating to 14,289 students. The top three schools will be invited to attend an NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships open practice on April 13, where the winning school will be announced. "Reading is the foundation for all learning. Our students' success in academics and in life depends on being able to read well," said Fort Worth ISD Chief of Schools Jerry Moore. "Readers Become Leaders is a friendly contest that makes reading fun and rewards kids for reading. Many of our schools also receive new library books." The first 25 schools to sign up will receive 150 new books donated to their libraries by the Fort Worth Sports Commission. The students will also receive fun gifts to keep them motivated to read. The winning school will receive prizes for the school and for all of its teachers. Students will enjoy a pizza party attended by Clifford the Big Red Dog. The second- and third-place schools, as well as the overall top classroom across grades K-5, will receive additional prize packs. Community organizations or individuals interested in donating should email Jason Sands.    Get articles like this in your inbox. Subscribe to City News.   This press release was produced by City of Fort Worth. The views expressed here are the author's own.