BCRTA delivers books to county schools
Bandera County Retired Teacher Sherrie Keese helps a youngster at Medina Elementary School select a book to take home for Christmas. BULLETIN PHOTO/Tracy Thayer
The Bandera County Retired Teachers Association delivered 639 books to Bandera County Pre-K, Kinder and 1st grade students for Christmas. The annual book drive is the group’s biggest service project. This year the group collected books suitable for PreK, Kinder and 1st grade all year long in preparation for their holiday give away. The books were then sorted by age and reading level by chairperson Dee Anne Mazurek.
The BCRTA members visited Hill Country Elementary, Alkek Elementary, Medina Elementary and Utopia School during the first week in December to distribute the books to the primary grade youngsters. Children were allowed to select the book that appealed to them. Some of the students were quick to make their decision, but others needed help making their selection. BCRTA members stepped in to help the youngsters select books based on the student's interests.
Some students were confused about whether the books were on loan or theirs personally. Big smiles lit their small faces when their teachers told them to “hug their books” because they would be able to take them home for their own personal library.
Reading research shows that having books in the home is proven to positively benefit children in a variety of ways. A 20-year study found that the presence of a home library of as little as 20 books increases the chances of a child’s academic success, vocabulary development, and attention.
The group has already be gun work on its next project. The BCRTA will be collecting jars of peanut butter for Snac Pac 4 Kids housed at the Bandera United Methodist Church. Snac Pac 4 Kids benefits students who qualify by providing nutritious weekend food for students who are food insecure.
One of the Bandera County Retired Teachers Association’s primary objectives is to encourage retired school personnel to give voluntarily of their time, talents, training, and experience to further the interests of education and civic endeavors. Membership is open to any retiree from the Teachers’ Retirement System (active) or anyone who supports the purposes of the group (associate). For more information on membership, contact Sharon Anderwald at sandserwald52@gmail. com or at 830-460-0671.