Texas Panhandle—Our annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration was a tremendous success in the Texas Panhandle due to the extraordinary efforts of 17 teachers across Bivins Elementary, Lakeview Elementary, Reeves-Hinger Elementary, and Canyon High School. Each year, we have the opportunity to share books which are reflective of the Hispanic cultural heritage thanks to the collaborative work of Melissa Garza and Rubi Perez among others. The five books selected for this year’s project included the following: The Pinata That The Farm Maiden Hung, Too Many Tamales, Spanish is the Language of My Family, Paletero Man, and Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You.

Each book introduced by the exemplary educators at our partnering schools explored Hispanic cultural heritage as our professional educators read about determination, kindness, and the true meaning of being part of a community to our local students. Then, our local elementary and high school students celebrated with read aloud activities including book giveaways, and Canyon High School even provided frozen treats to local elementary school students. Elsewhere in the vast Texas Panhandle, Mrs. Karen Takacs, led her music students through lessons which culminated in a collaboratively developed pinata activity in which students stuffed positive, encouraging music lyrics inside each pinata. 

We are thrilled to be able to provide such an enriching, inclusive opportunity for local educators and students. TLRN will continue to provide updates and offer opportunities for community members to join the effort in supporting literacy. Together, we can serve, lead, and read across the Texas Panhandle! 

For more information, stay tuned to our website and follow our journey on our various social media accounts! You can also spread the joy of literacy during Panhandle Gives from November 25 through December 3, 2024. For more information, please visit this link to explore funding opportunities.

Visit this link to learn more about how you can get involved.