Literacy Programming at Metz
Fundamental to Metz Elementary’s mission was the encouragement of early readers and writers to develop confidence in their capabilities and potential. Through the efforts of parents, teachers, faculty, and the school librarians, Metz fostered a unique environment aimed at comfortable and inclusive learning for both monolingual and bilingual students.
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Reading is Fundamental
In addition to the programs created internally, Metz collaborated with a national non-profit organization, Reading is Fundamental (RIF) to staff and coordinate literacy education efforts in the school. Working with RIF gave Metz Elementary access to resources from books to professional development to visiting readers. As Don Bos recalls, “RIF provided a bilingual reader” who “read a story in Spanish for [the students]” in his second year working at the school (Bos 47). RIF provided bilingual materials for the library, working with what they could afford and what was donated to build Metz’ Spanish book collection. Metz Elementary wanted to ensure that bilingual children could experience a library filled equally with Spanish and English books, encouraging them to explore as much literature as fills the bookshelves. Through their extensive efforts, Metz demonstrated through their actions that reading is fundamental.
To see the activities of the RIF program at Metz in action, watch the 1998 VHS tape showcasing Reading is Fundamental Day at Metz Elementary School. Teachers and volunteers enthusiastically read for eager students. Parents, faculty, and staff discuss Reading is Fundamental. See a snapshot of Metz's past!
Though their time collaborating with Metz Elementary School is coming to a close, Reading is Fundamental continues to provide schools across America with high-quality content and programs, spreading awareness about literacy deficits and importance, and continued efforts to develop diversity, equity, and inclusion in children's reading programs. Read more about Reading is Fundemental here on their website.
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Read Across America
Similarly to the Reading is Fundamental Program, Metz partnered with the National Educational Association to bring readers to the elementary school through Read Across America. According to Don Bos, Metz Elementary frequently topped the national list for most readers visiting via the program (Bos Oral History 1). Due to the prevalence of bilingualism and English as a Second Language classifications of students at Metz Elementary, the school pushed reading comprehension as much as they could. Don himself often read for students in both English and Spanish, mentioning reading at least 3-4 books a day to his pre-K classes! Time and again, the dedication and vigor with which Metz Elementary encourages the most integral of skills, reading, astounds and amazes.
Famous Faces
Read Across America celebrates the passion and perseverance of children. The subsidiary of the National Education Agency promotes daily reading by or to children, compiles astounding and comprehensive reading lists for all ages, reading levels, and backgrounds, and hosts events to promote literacy. One such event brought actor, Taylor Kitsch to Metz Elementary as part of a "Friday Night Lights" reading event. To learn more about Read Across America and their dedication to American children's literacy, visit their website here.