Lamar University launches literacy partnership with United Way, BISD

Lamar University (LU) has teamed up with United Way of Beaumont & North Jefferson County and Beaumont ISD to sponsor and support book vending machines for several local elementary campuses, part of a literacy initiative aimed at rewarding students with free books they can take home.

The machines are part of United Way's Growing Readers program, which encourages elementary students to build their own book collection. Children can earn tokens for accomplishments such as perfect attendance, good behavior, helping classmates or improving reading skills.

"Lamar University has committed to sponsoring free books for seven local elementary schools this year: Caldwood, Dishman, Fehl-Price, Fletcher, Jones-Clark, Martin and Sallie Curtis," John Rollins, LU associate director of community relations and public affairs said. "This partnership with Beaumont ISD is made possible through the United Way is Growing Readers book vending machine program, where students are rewarded with a free book from the machine for things such as perfect attendance, good behavior, and much more."

The launch event took place on Friday, Sept. 5 at Fletcher Elementary in celebration of National Read a Book Day. LU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Brett Welch read "We Are All Neighbors" to a group of children before the first tokens were distributed. Fletcher selected 20 students recognized as strong readers and role models in the classroom to receive the first tokens. After receiving their books, members of the LU College of Education and Human Development's (LU COEHD) Student Ambassador group helped the young scholars write their names in their books.

Immediately following the book reading and distribution, the entire elementary campus made their way to the gym for an assembly which featured performances by the Fletcher cheerleaders and Lamar University Cheer Team. Members of the Lamar University Softball and Baseball teams joined the assembly as well and helped pass out a free book to every elementary student in attendance. Dr. Johnny O'Connor and Dr. Jill Killough from the LU COEHD spoke to the students about the importance of literacy.

United Way President and CEO Karyn Husbands praised the community effort behind the project.

"I'm so proud of our community that has joined together to make this possible," she said. "United Way may put the vending machines in the schools, but it's because of our partnerships with Lamar and other amazing community partners that we are able to sustain it."

She also encouraged students to make the most of the opportunity. "I want this to be the first of many books you earn," Husbands said. "I hope you go home and see your bookshelf full of books because of your hard work. Read, learn and expand your minds."

Rollins said Lamar University views the program as an investment in the region's future.

"This partnership with BISD and United Way emphasizes LU's strong ties to the local community and the university's desire to invest in our young scholars at an early age," he said. "By instilling a love for reading at a young age, we are promoting literacy and supplying these students with free books to add to their at-home collection. It's a win-win."

Beaumont ISD Superintendent Shannon Allen said the district's top goal is ensuring students can read on grade level by third grade, and programs like Growing Readers directly support that mission