Eight CFISD Elementary Schools Selected in Read to the Final Four Bracket
Eight CFISD elementary schools were selected to advance to the bracket round of competition in the Read to the Final Four reading challenge at Woodard Elementary School on Jan. 23.
The Read to the Final Four is a bracket-style reading competition that aims to inspire third grade students across the greater Houston area to get excited about reading. The 2022-2023 competition began with more than 39,000 students from more than 390 schools across 11 Houston-area school districts.
Frazier, Matzke, McFee, McGown, Owens, Sampson, Swenke and Woodard elementary schools were selected as eight of the top 68 schools and were announced from the Woodard library on KHOU Channel 11’s morning show with special guest Meteorologist Chita Craft. The top 68 schools are now grouped into four different “regions.” Schools advancing in the bracket will be announced every Monday.
Chita Craft, KHOU Channel 11 meteorologist, left, speaks with Dorita Hatchett, Final Four Houston senior director of community relations, right, about the Read to the Final Four program at Woodard Elementary School on Jan. 23. Craft and the KHOU Channel 11 team broadcasted the bracket announcement live from the Woodard library.
CFISD had more than 2,000 third grade students from 13 different campuses participate in the reading challenge since October. Students have been supported in their reading efforts by campus librarians, administrative teams and the CFISD community.
“The best part about the Read to the Final Four program is how it has promoted a culture of reading in our third grade students,” said Jennifer Garstecki, coordinator for library services. “The conversations kids are having about the books they are reading, recommending books to friends, and the pride of representing their school academically is exciting and rewarding. Now that we have eight schools qualifying to move forward in the tournament, it’s time to kick it up a notch and rally around them to support their reading journey on the road to the Final Four. I know they are all excited to ‘bust some brackets’ and keep reading!”
Roy Garcia, CFISD chief academic officer, reads to McGown Elementary School third grade students as part of the Read to the Final Four reading challenge. McGown, along with seven other CFISD elementary schools, were selected to advance to the bracket round of the competition.
During the reading competition, students read as a team to represent their campuses and compete to win fun prizes, including a chance to attend the Men’s Final Four Fan Fest at the George R. Brown Convention Center in March. The winning school will receive a trophy and a $5,000 donation.
Members of the Cypress Woods High School basketball team visited Sampson Elementary School to read to third grade students as part of the Read to the Final Four reading challenge. Sampson was selected as one of eight CFISD elementary schools to advance to the bracket round of competition.
Read to the Final Four was launched during the 2016 Men’s Final Four in Houston. In its inaugural year, approximately 6,800 third grade students across 68 Houston-area schools competed.
Visit the Final Four Houston website to view the complete bracket.
