Over the past several weeks, a number of elementary schools have hosted literacy parades and other events in which students and staff dress up as characters from books to share some of their favorite titles with their teachers and each other.

Oak Forest Elementary School Librarian Julie Campbell (who was named Librarian of the Year in 2010) said the parade always inspires her students to seek out books that their classmates recommend. “Weeks from now, they’ll (still) be coming to the library asking for some of those titles,” she said.

This year, Milne Elementary School used its “Character Dress-Alike Day” to highlight the culmination of Red Ribbon Week (an annual drug and violence-prevention initiative). “Our message is that we have no time for drugs because we stay in the books,” explained Principal Marilene Shane.

HISD is moving forward with a major literacy initiative that will include a revamped reading curriculum. The literacy program, which will reach all grade levels, will include foundational skills, enrichment and acceleration through standardized strategies, resources, and tools. The initiative is funded in part by a $500,000 grant from the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.