Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration dedicated to motivating children to read.

It focuses the nation on the importance of literacy, encourages children to read more books, and aims to get them excited about reading. Check out the great things that happened throughout the district:

Austin Elementary had guests from the community and district employees visit classrooms to read to students. Guests included campus teachers (upper grade teachers reading to lower grades and vice versa), sorority members, Tyler Fire Department, Smith County Sherriff, members from North Tenneha Church of Christ and Miles Chapel CME, and many more. The week ended with a book character parade. Students and staff dressed up as their favorite book character and marched through the school.

Bell Elementary celebrated Read Across America week with dress-up days. Themes included, "Hip Hop Day" wear 90s hip hop attire, "Celebrate Culture" wear your favorite African prints, "Wacky Wednesday" crazy clothes and hair, "Reading is a Brain Workout" wear your favorite workout clothes, and "Cozy Up With a Good Book" wear your pajamas. Students have a choice board on Clever that leads them across America stopping at each state to listen to a new story. The kindergarten students had 5th-grade guest readers come in and read to them! The entire campus also enjoyed a 20-minute Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) time to finish the week. 

Jones Elementary School celebrated with fun themed days during Book Fair week. Themes included, "The Day the Crayons Quit" favorite color day, "Caps for Sale" wear a hat to school, "Where the Wild Things Are" wear wild hair and crazy socks, "The Mixed Up Chameleon" wear everything mismatched and "What's YOUR Favorite Book?" dress as your favorite book character.

Ramey hosted 30 guest readers (enough for EVERY class to have one 🙂)! Volunteers poured in from all of Tyler, ranging from school board member Mr. Artis Newsome to Grace Community Church members John and Ann Boland and Kathy Welch. District support teams joined in on the fun with the Bilingual, Curriculum and Instruction, and Special Education departments. Even the Ramey specials teachers had to get in on the fun! Coach Kelly, Mrs. Fatheree and Mr. Thomas surprised classes by showing up in their classrooms instead of their own. Volunteers and students alike left celebrating the love of reading.

Rice Elementary celebrated Read Across America with a Book Character Parade. Staff and students dressed up as their favorite book character and paraded down the halls for everyone to see.