The book of that name by author Mo Willems was the first in a weekly reading series Keller ISD is offering for parents and students throughout the district. Westfall has read a number of books from The Pigeon Series, such as “The Pigeon Has to Go to School.”
The weekly event allows Westfall, who would regularly visit elementary schools before on-campus closures, to continue connecting with younger readers on a regular basis.
“A big shout out to Mo Willems, who has allowed schools across the country to do this,” Westfall said. “This is an amazing service for our educators and our kids to be able to continue to connect.”
The primary target for the reading event is elementary-age students, but district officials said they have received positive feedback from all grade levels.
The district is operating with a list of authors who have granted permission to use their works for online readings, said Shellie Johnson, Keller ISD director of communications.
“All things [are] virtual,” she said. “That is how we are doing life in Keller ISD right now.”
Westfall and other district officials are connecting virtually with parents and students in other ways as well.
As needed, Westfall is holding live staff addresses; meeting with the student cabinet, which is made up of juniors and seniors from all four high schools; and making district information available via community videos on the Keller ISD Facebook, Johnson said.
“We are finding every possible avenue to keep connected to our parents and our kids,” Westfall said. “What we are pushing out is all in an effort to maintain this connection even though we are connecting through a computer screen.”
