Promoting literacy is the name of the game during Harlingen CISD's summer reading program kickoff.
Students showed up at the school district’s administration building to have books read to them.
They also have the opportunity to get in on the action by reading to therapy dogs “Ocho” and “Lulu.”
The two therapy dogs also spend time at the Harlingen Public Library listening to kids read without judging them.
Dr. Laura Sheneman with Harlingen CISD said it’s the school district’s way of keeping the students engaged in reading during the summer months when school is not in session.
Statistics show that more nearly 50 percent of people 25 and older in the Rio Grande Valley lack basis literacy skills.
That's a number Harlingen CISD hopes to change as they promote incentives for children throughout the summer to open a book.
Fifth grader Alexander Castillo says it's a no brainer for him.
He's attends elementary school student is already a top reader for the entire school.
Harlingen CISD will hold a weeklong kickoff event including a book fair.
The goal is getting kids and their parents in the spirit of reading as they prepare for another school year.
Someone else from the community will read to the any children who show up at the Harlingen CISD Administration Building at 4:30 p.m. every day this week.
Residents can also shop for books with the kids at the same location from 10:30 am until 7pm everyday this week.
All proceeds go to brining authors into schools to speak to the students.
Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District is releasing a summer reading list to help its students.
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