GISD introduces reading volunteer program

Gonzales ISD continues to push more ways to help students get educated, especially regarding reading. 

GISD invited members of the community, Tuesday, Dec. 13, and introduced a volunteer reading program. 

Director of Elementary Education Brandi Bell said the program is a community initiative for GISD and it is “an action step in the strategic plan” that they’ve been working hard on. 

“Our goal is to strengthen and improve the literacy skills of our students. We are focusing on students and the work provided to the students. And this initiative will help create awareness within our community to strengthen literacy and open doors for all of our students,” Bell said. 

The plan is a five-year program and Bell said they are implementing this literacy initiative through pre-kindergarten to the third grade. It is called Apaches Reading Together. 

“This will increase the percentage of students on grade level in third grade to 100% of third grade students on grade level within five years,” Bell said. 

Bell talked about the importance of having community involvement and having volunteers read to the students. She said this program will create awareness and opens the door for the students. 

“We're looking for mentorships, we're looking for partnerships. And we want everyone to come back into our schools,” Bell said. “We're opening our doors to the community, to parents, to grandparents, to volunteers, to make sure that our students know that they're supported every day in their academic growth and their continued success.” 

The Apaches Reading Together is set to begin in January 2023. For more information about the volunteer reading program, call the central office at (830) 672-9551 and ask for Bell. 

Volunteers must complete a background check in order to participate in the Apaches Reading Together program.