DVISD Book Bus keeps communities connected and encourages reading over summer

The Del Valle ISD Book Bus is back in business this summer break, bringing free books and family resources across the district! Students and parents can stop by one of the bus locations on Thursdays throughout June and July.

Buses will be at several schools and a couple of community locations, where families can stop and pick up free books and family resources, have a snack, and more. Families can visit with school staff and volunteers to keep in touch with their child’s school over the summer break and encourage reading.

June 8 was the first day of the Book Bus. Popham Elementary parent Amandarae Obando stopped by with her sons, two of which are in middle school and three in elementary. 

“I love it,” she said. “I love the fact that it’s right here in our community, and it’s something the boys can do. They love reading books. I think it’s good that summer is not just full of technology. Nowadays, everything is just technology, so when things like this are happening, I like to get them out, and at the same time, they’re gaining knowledge.”

Glenn Russell, a STEM coordinator in the DVISD Curriculum and Instruction Department, helped at one of the bus stops on Thursday. He said the weekly event is a great way to get books out into the community and stay involved over the summer break. 

“It's really just a chance for our kids to have something to do during the summer, to get out and do something and read. We’re encouraging kids to read, and they can come every week and get more books if they want to,” he said. “Last year, we had kids who came every week, and every week they picked out more books.” 

Books for babies all the way to adults are available for free for everyone to take. In the past, the Book Bus has driven through neighborhoods, but this year the bus will be at designated locations where families can stop by and spend more time participating in activities with their children.

“I see parents and teachers talking with each other, and they're connecting, and the kids are having a positive experience with school. Kids get excited about new books. They get excited about new things, and children just love getting new things, and they get them excited about getting to read and opening a book,” Glenn said. 

“And also being able to get these books for free. Not everybody can afford to make a bookstore trip and buy a bunch of books all the time. Four books here might cost $40 at a bookstore, so we’re making books more accessible to the community this way.”

Glenn added that his favorite part is seeing kids find books they want to read through the program. 

"What I love most is seeing how much students enjoy getting the books. Sometimes the children get on the bus, and their faces just light up as they dig through the books," he said.

Each Thursday will feature activities, and specifically, on June 15, families can come and meet DVISD’s coaches and athletes, who will be at each Book Bus location that day!

Here’s the summer schedule for the DVISD Book Bus: 

• June 8
• June 15
• June 22
• June 29
• July 13 

Locations: 

• Collins Elementary 
• Creedmoor Elementary 
• Del Valle Elementary 
• Gilbert Elementary 
• Hillcrest Elementary 
• Popham Elementary 
• Dailey Middle School
• Ojeda Middle School
• Del Valle High School
• Montopolis Recreation Center 
• Whisper Valley Community Pool Area

The Book Bus will be at each location from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the select dates.