Victoria ISD is launching the Keating Literacy Cup: Racing to Reading & Writing Growth, a districtwide initiative designed to strengthen reading and writing skills among elementary students through measurable goals, student engagement and opportunities to celebrate academic growth.
The initiative is made possible through a partnership with the Victoria ISD Education Foundation and a $10,000 contribution from the Keating Family Foundation, which will support implementation at Aloe, Chandler, Dudley, O'Connor and Rowland elementary schools.
Recognizing the opportunity to extend the initiative to students across the district, Victoria ISD Superintendent Sheila Collazo is providing funding through a superintendent's initiative to support participation at the remaining eight elementary campuses. This expansion ensures that every VISD student in first through fifth grade has the opportunity to participate in the Keating Literacy Cup.
โStrong literacy skills are foundational to student success,โ said Collazo. โThe Keating Literacy Cup gives our students an engaging opportunity to strengthen those skills, celebrate their growth and take pride in their accomplishments. Through the generosity of the Keating Family Foundation, in partnership with VISD Education Foundation, we are able to build on this investment and broaden the challenge with every elementary campus in Victoria ISD.โ
The Keating Literacy Cup will engage students in grade-level-appropriate reading and writing activities from Nov. 1 through May 2027. Students in first and second grades will focus on strengthening foundational literacy skills, while students in third through fifth grades will focus on developing and strengthening writing skills.
Throughout the initiative, students will work toward measurable goals, track their progress and have opportunities to earn incentives and recognition as they reach literacy and writing milestones. Each month, qualifying students will be celebrated at their campus with a special โvictory lapโ in mini race cars, creating memorable experiences that recognize their hard work and academic growth.
While the Keating Literacy Cup introduces an element of friendly competition among campuses, the primary focus remains on individual student growth and achievement. Campuses will monitor progress throughout the initiative while celebrating student accomplishments, classroom achievements and campus milestones while building confidence and ownership of learning.
โThe mission of the VISD Education Foundation is centered on creating opportunities that enrich education and support student success,โ said Katie Pool, executive director of the Victoria ISD Education Foundation. โWe are grateful to the Keating Family Foundation for its generous investment in literacy and to Victoria ISD for expanding this initiative so students across the district can benefit. This partnership demonstrates what is possible when our community comes together to support student learning.โ
The Keating Literacy Cup directly supports Victoria ISD's Strategic Plan and its priority of Exemplary Student Outcomes by providing students with additional opportunities to strengthen foundational academic skills.
Through the combined efforts of the Keating Family Foundation, the Victoria ISD Education Foundation and Victoria ISD, the Keating Literacy Cup will bring students across all elementary campuses together to elevate excellence for more than 4,000 students.