The spirit of Christmas and the joy of literacy filled the halls of Dekaney High School on Dec. 12 as Spring ISD’s Family and Community Engagement Department hosted its annual Winter Literacyland celebration. The free, family-friendly event welcomed more than 1,600 families from across the district, as well as attendees from surrounding communities, for an evening dedicated to reading, learning and holiday fun for all. 

“During this Christmas season, we’re proud to give families the gift of literacy,” said Tranita Carroll, Executive Director of Family and Community Engagement. “Our goal is to ensure every family can attend and leave with as many books as they want to build a home library. The turnout was amazing and truly shows how much our community values literacy.”

Formerly known as Winter Wonderland, the event—now celebrating its 10th anniversary—has grown into a beloved Spring ISD tradition with a renewed focus on fostering a love of reading among students from pre-K through eighth grade. Throughout the evening, students eagerly explored themed stations hosted by district departments. Hallways came alive as children were greeted by favorite book and holiday characters—including the Cat in the Hat, princesses, the Grinch, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

While the event delighted students, it also brought joy to parents—many of whom chose not only to participate but also to volunteer and support other families throughout the evening.

“Winter Literacyland is a powerful reminder of who we are as Spring ISD,” said Superintendent Dr. Kregg Cuellar. “When families, staff, volunteers, and community partners come together around literacy, we are doing more than handing out books—we are opening doors of opportunity for our children. I want to extend a special thank you to Yolanda Merritt and the Spring AFT for their partnership and support in providing thousands of books to our students.”

Bethsaida Gonzalez, a first-time volunteer at Winter Literacyland and a regular volunteer with the Roberson Middle School PTO, reflected on her experience.

“This is such a wonderful annual event, and the activities for the kids are always amazing,” said Gonzalez. “I love how it encourages a love of reading, and it’s fantastic that so many free books are available for the children.”

Spending time with families and engaging with students throughout the evening was Spring ISD Board President Justine Durant, who shared in the excitement of the event.

“It touches my heart to see the joy on our students’ faces and to invest in their growth,” said Durant. “Moments like these make every minute of the countless hours us board members dedicate to serving the district truly worth it.”

One of the most popular stops was the photo station with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, where children captured special holiday memories. Families were welcomed by a cheerful young elf, 7th-grade student volunteer Jasmine Rodriguez from Roberson Middle School, who shared how meaningful the experience was for both volunteers and attendees.

“It was so nice to see the excitement on the little kids’ faces,” Rodriguez said. “I’m glad I volunteered and was able to be part of the holiday joy.”

First-time attendee Stephanie Aportadera, an ESL teacher from Bammel Middle School, described the event as an unforgettable experience and looking forward to coming back next year. 

“I love this event,” Aportadera said. “I love seeing the faces of the children and their excitement about being able to take books home. I’m even taking books back to my classroom for my students — what a beautiful event.”

Winter Literacyland has grown in size and impact over the years, and this success would not be possible without the support of district sponsors and community partners, including the Spring ISD Education Foundation, Spring AFT, and Frost Bank. In addition, thanks to the generosity of Reading Opens the World, we were able to distribute 45,000 books and 500 LEGO kits to students and families, offering a wide variety of titles for readers of all ages and interests.

Spring ISD is incredibly grateful to all volunteers, district departments, and special guests who made Winter Literacyland such a memorable event. Special guests included State Rep. Charlene Ward Johnson, guest judges Jeffrey Kaiser and Monica Galvan from Neiman Marcus, and Joseph Russell from CW 39 Houston. Their support helped the district share the gift of reading and celebrate literacy with students and families across the community.