Elementary students huddled around listening to stories read by high schoolers and crowding tables to select from hundreds of “gently used" books to fill their book bags. The EMS ISD Reading Festival brought these elementary and high school students together along with their librarians, principals and district administrators at Boswell High School, Chisholm Trail High School and Saginaw High School on Monday, January 9, 2023.
“There is nothing better than seeing young students engaging with their high school heroes,” Dr. Cheryl Hunt, Secondary Elementary Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator said. “It was evident that high school student volunteers were in their element, taking selfies with students, welcoming families, and creating a culture of literacy.”
Around a thousand people, including around 300 EMS ISD elementary students gathered between the three high schools for the annual event. In addition to as many “gently used” books as they could carry, every EMS ISD elementary school student who attended received a free ticket to a varsity spring athletic event.
“A highlight of this night for me is listening to the high school students and the elementary students talk about their favorite books. It is special to see so many people across our district come together with one common goal, fostering a love for reading in EMS,” Angela Kennedy, Elementary Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator said.
Students were encouraged to join the fun at the high school their current elementary school feeds into. This gave these young learners the opportunity to interact with the older students inside their future high school, while also spending time with their teachers, librarians and principals in a fun setting outside of their campus.
“It was great watching my students’s faces light up as they listened to the high school students read a story or see them get that high five from a high school student leading an activity,” Daniel Dodson, principal at Copper Creek Elementary School said. “I also had some great conversations with my students and their parents, and enjoyed seeing what type of book they picked out; what type of topic they’re interested in.”
Planning is already underway for the 2024 EMS ISD Reading Festival to continue to foster a love for reading throughout the EMS ISD community.