The literacy bus, which has been in the works for the last year, was made possible by the generous and collaborative effort between the Terrell Excellence Foundation, Platinum Ford, Gold Star Transit, Terrell ISD, and several local community partners.
“We would like to thank the Terrell Excellence Foundation for the $50,000 grant they awarded our team that empowered us to turn our vision into a reality,” said Dr. Larry Polk, Assistant Superintendent of Student, Family and Community Services. “The grant from the Foundation, along with the donated bus from Gold Star Transit, enabled us to let our imagination run wild as we built and designed this incredible vehicle of education that truly puts learning into motion.”
The District has already begun touring the Tiger Tales Literacy Bus around town and is in the process of making stops at all of our campuses. Over the summer break when the bus rolls through neighborhoods, students will have the opportunity to come aboard and check out books to keep them engaged in literacy while they are out of school. The District recognizes that one educational hurdle many families face, especially during school breaks, is access to learning materials.
“TISD's literacy bus puts the tools of becoming and being a good reader into the hands of our students, family, and community,” shared Dr. Melanie Magee, Deputy Superintendent of Leading and Learning. “Having access to books is key to improving children's love of reading.”
The District will also work with the Riter C. Hulsey Public Library and the Terrell ISD Director of Early Literacy, Alison Rison, to maintain a variety of books for learners of all ages.
“One of our goals in TISD is to help children lead joyfully literate lives and we could not be more proud of the literacy skills our students have gained this year,” said Rison. “Having a variety of high interest books and literacy activities available to them this summer will fuel students’ intellectual curiosity and we are hopeful that our youngest readers will feel a sense of joy in their own literacy learning.”
Be on the lookout for the Tiger Tales Literacy Bus in your neighborhood and parks this summer!