The Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District has partnered with Texas State Technical College and HEB’s Read 3 Early Literacy Program in an effort to improve literacy rates in young children.
Happening now, the statewide program takes place over a six-week period and educates parents and caregivers about the need to read to their children at least three times a week. The program also facilitates the access to tools and resources to prepare their early learners, including providing free books to students attending the sessions.
“We are very excited for this partnership with H-E-B and TSTC to bring early literacy awareness to the Harlingen community,” said Coordinator for Library Services Mireya Galvan. “Many children in our community do not have access to books or are not read to on the regular basis, so we are very fortunate to have a program such as Read 3 to further promote early childhood literacy in our district.”
Three campuses are participating in the Read 3 program this year – Crockett Elementary, Rodriguez Elementary, and Houston Elementary. Mentor teachers at the campuses work with student volunteers from TSTC’s Education & Training program to teach the Read 3 curriculum, which introduces participants to nutritional concepts and literacy ideas that they can promote in their homes.
H-E-B CEO and chairman Charles Butt, who has a strong commitment to education, launched the Read 3 campaign in September of 2011. The campaign consists of the integration of literacy centers in select stores, book drives, provision of affordable books, and community outreach. Since it’s inception, H-E-B has donated nearly 3 million books to children in need.
Reading sessions will continue through next month at the three select campuses and begin promptly at 8:30 A.M. each Wednesday in October. For more information please contact Mireya Galvan at 956-427-3500.
