By: Jade Wise
Pasadena ISD Communications
Freeman Elementary recently held a “Read with a Soldier” event where approximately 25 veterans, active military personnel and reserve service members visited classrooms to read with students as part of Pasadena ISD’s districtwide reading initiative, #pisdREAD’s.
The event included service men and women from almost every branch of the military including Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. The group visited different classrooms where they read a pre-selected book to students. After, the guest readers returned to the library for a thank you breakfast provided by the campus.
U.S. Army Reserve Col. Brandi Peasley said that getting to meet the children was her favorite part of the event.
“The students were very inquisitive and asked a lot of questions,” said Peasley. “I think that getting to see adults read, meeting people and service members from the community was very meaningful to them.”
The goal of the #pisdREAD’S initiative is to build, promote and sustain a district-wide culture of reading, by encouraging staff, students and parents to embrace and incorporate reading into their daily routine and for all students to be reading at or above their grade level.
“Reading is very important,” said US National Guard Staff Sgt. Rudy Morales, one of the volunteer readers. “I stressed that to the kids that no matter what you do, you will always have to read. The kids were very excited and gave me hugs and thank you letters at the end.”
US National Guard Staff Sgt. Rudy Morales answers questions after reading a book to students at Freeman Elementary.
U.S. Army Reserve Col. Brandi Peasley reads a book to students at Freeman Elementary.
(L to R): Pricilla Moreno, retired U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Commander Gilbert Aguilar, Gerardo Govea and Hector Trevizo