HOUSTON – June 7, 2018 – Spring ISD elementary and middle school students have the chance to travel the world this summer without ever leaving home, thanks to the district’s Journey into Reading program.
Students were given an envelope to bring home with a special passport that is the guide to summer fun and activities from around the globe located on a special website, www.springisd.org/passport. Students don’t need any luggage for this trip, just a little imagination as they use their passport to reach the highest peaks on all seven continents.
The goal is to strengthen literacy skills all summer long while broadening students’ horizons as they learn about different destinations and cultures through reading, math, music, movement, art, science and social studies.
“It’s very important for all of our students to stay active and engaged over the summer,” said Lauren Topek, chief of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessments. “We want to make sure that our students are continuing to grow and develop over the summer months, so that come fall we can pick right back up and keep moving into the next grade level.”
The passport is the ticket to the highest peaks on all seven continents, where students will be reading, creating, imagining, and generally having fun as they learn. Just visit www.springisd.org/passport to see all the peaks, related activities and to download a passport, if needed. The site is also available in Spanish at www.springisd.org/pasaporte.
Students who complete at least one activity per continent and return their passport and envelope of supporting materials back to school in August will be entered into a prize drawing for Kindles loaded with books. A total of 15 Kindles will be awarded, five each for grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8.
To help students complete their passports, the district is holding special events over the summer at various campuses and locations. Summer school libraries will be opening their doors so that students can check out books.
“Our hope is that our scholars come back in August excited about reading and writing and ready to tackle new challenges in the upcoming school year,” Topek said. “We are really trying to cultivate literacy by showing how much fun reading is.”
She noted that the program directly connects with the district’s five-year strategic plan, EVERY CHILD 2020. “Our first key imperative is reach every student, and our first commitment is a strong literacy foundation for all,” she said.