The Socorro Independent School District is celebrating the National Education Association's (NEA) Read Across America Week from March 2 to 6 with a variety of activities throughout the district's schools to inspire a love for reading among SISD students. As part of the celebration, SISD board trustees and the interim superintendent have read books on video to share with students and encourage the joy of reading.
Please click on these links to watch the Read Across America Week videos and share them across Team SISD.
“The Pigeon Needs a Bath!” – Interim Superintendent James P. Vasquez
“My Papi Has a Motorcycle” – SISD Board President Michael A. Najera
“Stellaluna” – SISD Board Vice President Cynthia Ann Najera
“Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons” – SISD Board Secretary Paul Guerra
“Someone Just Like You” – SISD Board Trustee Alice Gardea
“Nobody Hugs a Cactus” – SISD Board Trustee Marivel N. Macias
An additional guest reader this year is Evelyne Perez, a special education instructional aide at Eastlake High School, who is sharing her book, “Autism: Trick-Roar-Treat.” Click here to see her video. The story is about two friends, Mateo, who has autism spectrum disorder, and Aaron, who does not, and their Halloween adventure. Perez’s first book, "Autism: A New Friend," introduced Mateo and Aaron and described how they became friends.
Perez aims to entertain readers while raising awareness about autism and increasing understanding among children about their peers with autism.
“I’m just spreading awareness amongst the kids because I feel like if we really want change, we need to include children in these conversations,” Perez said about her books.
Perez is not the only author to have emerged recently from SISD. Two Montwood High School students, junior Tiffany Gavaldon and senior Keira Jensen, published a children's book last October. They are co-authors of “Not Just a Bow,” a book about breaking down cheerleading stereotypes.
The book tells the story of 10-year-old Chloe, a cheerleader who also enjoys reading, math and science. When her friends start teasing her and her teammates about their sport, Chloe faces challenges due to negative stereotypes. However, she remains passionate about cheerleading and her other interests, refusing to let others' opinions sway her.
“She goes through a little bit of trouble dealing with some of her friends giving her a hard time about being in cheer and how ‘You’re so smart. You're a cheerleader. You’re not supposed to be that smart.’ And we wanted to show young females that we can do anything in that you can be smart, you can be a cheerleader, you can be whatever you want to be,” Gavaldon said.
Jensen said Chloe was a fictional character, but many of her traits were based on their own experiences. The two best friends met at Montwood High School, where they are both members of the student council and the National Honor Society, as well as participants in the SYNERGI4 STEM program. They are also proud members of the school’s varsity cheer team.
“We're really excited that we made her come to life in such an impactful way,” Jensen said. “I hope that a young girl can open this book and see Chloe in themselves.”