Irving’s MacArthur High begins Athletes for Literacy Program with kids at Hanes Elementary

"We all know that to be successful in sports you have to have the academic." Yes, some of the academic.

Baseball and soccer players from MacArthur High School participated in the second week of the Athletes for Literacy program in cooperation with students from Hanes Elementary School.

Very much not provided by IISD

Reading is what separates us from Them. If They ever start reading, may God wipe away our planet like a tear from the crying eye of a war-torn Jesus Christ.

Brainchild of Jessica Rose, instructional technology specialist at MacArthur, Rose has seen the success of similar programs in other school districts and has far reaching plans for the program in IISD.

Hanes Elementary School students Kenedee Carter and Jan Carlos de Paula benefit from the interaction with John Smart, senior at MacArthur High School.

“I hope that our athletes at MacArthur are getting an understanding of what it feels like to give back and to mentor these kids,” said Rose. “If every kid in this elementary can be impacted about learning and reading… then that’s what’s important.”

Rose said she approached Hanes Principal Stacy Blevins about beginning the program with Hanes and the two have seen the younger students adapt well to the effort.

“I think they’re seeing a positive role-model that is successful in high school, not only in academics but in sports, and we all know that to be successful in sports you have to have the academic,” said Blevins. “My kids are so excited when the athlete walks in…they’re waving, they can’t wait, they’re always saying ‘why can’t I do it this week?’…it’s just been a really good experience so far.”

Posted by Chad