San Angelo READS! Day Celebrates Literacy and Community Engagement

SAN ANGELO – San Angelo Mayor Brenda Gunter on behalf of the city council has recognized Dec. 6, as the fourth annual San Angelo READS! Day. 

This morning at City Hall, Mayor Gunter read a proclamation that stated San Angelo ISD is committed to promoting literacy and instilling a passion for reading. 

The proclamation read that SAISD is proud to continue partnering with the City of San Angelo, local businesses, and other community groups in the community-wide literacy initiative “San Angelo READS!” to increase awareness of the importance of literacy. 

Information from the proclamation states that statistics show how “vitally important” literacy is to providing a fundamental base for success. 

San Angelo ISD administrators, principals, and educators understand that reading should extend beyond school hours and classroom walls and focus on this initiative through a variety of literacy programs, read-alouds, and community events to inspire a love for reading, the proclamation reads. 

“I, together with the district, invite the Concho Valley community to join in this special day, and get to reading,” the mayor said. “Whether reading to a special loved one, donating a book to a child in need, or in other creative ways - celebrate today!”

The proclamation ends by urging all citizens in San Angelo to acknowledge the occasion of this day in celebration of the importance of literacy and instilling a passion for reading in the youth. 

Deputy Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer for San Angelo ISD, Dr. Farrah Gomez said that San Angelo READS! provides a book for each elementary student to take home and keep as their own. 

Information provided to San Angelo LIVE states that children who do not read on grade level by the end of the third grade only have a 1 in 8 chance of catching up to other students who are reading within their grade level and are four times more likely to drop out of school. 

As part of the initiative today, at Bowie Elementary, along with the H-E-B team, a read-aloud of “Looking Like Me” by Walter Dean Myers took place immediately after the proclamation was read by the mayor. 

All SAISD third graders received their own copy compliments of H-E-B in honor of San Angelo READS! Day. 

Tomorrow the celebration continues on Thursday, Dec. 7 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. with a FREE San Angelo READS! North Pole Pop-up event at the San Angelo Stadium (Gate 4 area). 

There will be holiday-themed games, crafts, activities, giveaways, and more. 

For more information, click here.