New Reading Space at Buckner Preparatory in Dallas
A collaborative effort involving CBS News Texas, Ashley, the Dallas Cowboys, and Book Drive for Kids has resulted in a new reading space for students at Buckner Preparatory in Dallas. This initiative is significant, especially as North Texans donated 500 children’s books as part of the CBS News Texas Book Drive.
Community Impact
- Furniture and Books: Ashley constructed and donated furniture for the reading area, which is now filled with donated books.
- Economic Disadvantage: Many schools served by Book Drive for Kids have high rates of economic disadvantage, making access to books crucial for educational success.
Educational Needs
Michelle Cook from Book Drive for Kids emphasized the importance of having books at home, citing data that suggests children need at least 20 books to be successful in school. Unfortunately, many children in the program have fewer than five books at home.
- Over 60% of Buckner Preparatory’s students are emergent bilinguals, learning both a new language and subjects in that language. Superintendent Elda Rojas noted the school’s efforts to provide additional literacy opportunities.
Notable Visit
Former Dallas Cowboys player Tyrone Crawford joined the celebration, reading to students, increasing the excitement around the new reading space.
Financial Contribution
CBS News Texas and the Dallas Cowboys also contributed $10,000 to Book Drive for Kids, enabling more free book fairs in the region.
Personal Testimony
Sixth grader Ashley Lopez expressed joy over finding “Wings of Fire,” a book she had wished to read as a child.
Broader Implications
While 500 books have been organized for Buckner Preparatory, those not added to the new shelves will be distributed to children throughout North Texas.
This new reading space represents not just a physical area but also hundreds of opportunities for children to engage with literature and cultivate a lifelong love of reading.
