CELEBRATING LITERACY WITH

DR. OPAL LEE, GRANDMOTHER OF JUNETEENTH

In observance of Read Across America Day in the spring, DeSoto ISD held an African American Read-In with “the grandmother of Juneteenth,” Dr. Opal Lee. All second-grade students in the district came to the DeSoto High School auditorium to kick off the district’s month-long student reading challenge.

During the mid-morning event, the audience of about 300 second graders viewed a brief historical account of Juneteenth and saw the remarkable journey of Dr. Lee to ensure that June 19 became a Federal Holiday. Then they listened to her read her book, Juneteenth: A Children’s Story.

Following the book’s presentation, students applauded Dr. Lee’s work and asked questions about her mission. Each student received a copy of her book, courtesy of a donation from the community-based organization, Friends of DeSoto.

A brief conversation with the historical icon instantly clarified her purpose for spending time with our DeSoto ISD young scholars.

“Reading is just so essential!” Dr. Lee said. “I just want to tell everyone to learn to read. If you can not read, you can not get anywhere, interact with others, or teach your children.”

She said, “You should start reading when you learn to walk.”

In addition to reading, Dr. Lee also admonished the students not to give up.

“Persistence. Stick-to-itiveness. Anything you decide is worthwhile for you, your family, or your community — do not let anything stop you,” she said.

”There will be roadblocks. It may take a long time, but stick to it! It took me 40 years to get Juneteenth to become a holiday. But stick to it.”

In DeSoto ISD, there is a strong focus on literacy in the early childhood curriculum, and district trustees have established board goals that keenly focus on increasing early learning student outcomes.

With this in mind, DeSoto ISD launched the Spring 2023 Reading Challenge for every second grader. The students were to read daily and log their hours for an entire month. To encourage participation, the two second-grade students with the highest number of reading hours were awarded a new bike, which were donated by district partners Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Friends of DeSoto, and others. Kappa Alpha Psi also secured approximately 1,000 books from half-price books for students to add to their libraries.

DeSoto ISD Chief Academic Officer Stephanie McCloud, who coordinated the event, was pleased with the outcome.

“Dr. Lee brings so much wealth and knowledge. It is so exciting to have her in DeSoto ISD,” she said. “Reading is so important. Everything that we do involves reading. When you are walking down the hallway, you have to be able to read the bulletin board. When looking at directions for your GPS, you have to read those directions. Reading is fundamental.”

Like the students and Chief McCloud, DeSoto ISD Superintendent Dr. Usamah Rodgers was excited and inspired by Dr. Lee’s visit.

“Dr. Lee speaks about the difference that one person can make, and the opportunity to have her come and kick off this challenge was inspiring,” Rodgers said. “Reading is foundational to success. Readers are leaders, and reading is life! So, being able to read and read well is foundational for success. We have a goal in literacy and were glad to have our second-grade readers kick off the reading challenge on Read Across America Day and that we were able to do it in a big way.”

Community Engagement

Literacy Enhancement Opportunity:

For the 23-24 School Year, DeSoto ISD is launching a Community of Readers to spend time with our students building literacy capacity. Check for an opportunity to help an Eagle soar forward in the DeSoto ISD Volunteer Platform at DeSotoISD. voly.org.