When hearing about the efforts of Gullett Elementary, Don Bos, Metz librarian, shared a few thoughts about RIF and how he important he believes RIF and book ownership are to his students.
With Don’s permission, we wanted to share his thoughts with all the librarians who support and share the Read-A-Thon with your schools. Not only do you provide wonderful programs to your own students, but your efforts touch the lives of children and families across Austin! Thank you!
“Hi, Kay. Just want to thank you for your efforts and the efforts on behalf of the Gullett School community in supporting RIF at a such a high level. I consider it to be an important program that benefits many. A lot of research points to book ownership as an important factor in developing into a lifelong learner.
I can tell you that Metz has a lot of competent kids who are good students. But they often need extra support. We have a former student who will graduate from medical school this spring. Her sister works at Bergstrom airport in administration. Their parents work as a cafeteria monitor and a school custodian — both at Metz. A few years ago I ran into a former prekinder student of mine in the airport. She was on her way to Texas Tech. Her mother was a cafeteria worker at Metz. I know both of these families well and they are hardworking but still poor people. (Just an aside: All these kids started out in life as Spanish speakers.) RIF was there for both of these families.
Just the other day another teacher related to me a number of Metz kids who are presently in college. Some made sense to me and a few were surprises. We can’t necessarily know whom amongst our students will put it all together and make something of himself or herself someday. And we do not always know what factors make the most difference in their lives, but I believe that RIF definitely comes into play for many.
Don Bos
Metz Librarian
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