Story+Gallery: EPISD Students Celebrate 5th Annual ‘Read Across the District’

Students throughout the El Paso Independent School District paused in unison at 10 a.m. on Friday morning to pick up a book and celebrate their commitment to literacy and their love of reading as part of the annual celebration of Read Across the District.

For the fifth consecutive year, students have celebrated this unique activity in every corner of EPISD. This year’s kick off was hosted by Rosa Guerrero Elementary School.

“It’s such an honor for us to be able to showcase the passion for literacy that exists here at Rosa Guerrero Elementary,” said Principal Jill Crossley. “Books play an important part of our education process, and our students are embracing them and making them part of their every-day life.”

Local celebrities, civic leaders and district personnel visited different schools throughout EPISD to help lead reading efforts.  From local television reporters, politicians, military personnel and even a masked luchador, many El Pasoans came out to support Read Across the District.

At Guerrero, celebrity readers included Board President Trent Hatch, The Cat in the Hat and one of El Paso’s most beloved cultural icons: dancer and educator Rosa Guerrero, for whom the school is named.

Superintendent Juan E. Cabrera said Read Across the District is one of the premier events in the District, because it highlights the EPISD’s efforts to improve literacy at all grade levels.

“Access to education starts with reading and we know that our students can thrive if they have the desire to read,” Cabrera said. “I know that in the five years this event has been organized, we have instilled the love of books on thousands of kids.  To me, that is a worthwhile cause that will have a long lasting effect.”