Mesquite ISD Read Play Talk Magazine Fall 2017 | Page 5

Dear fellow citizens of Mesquite,
I am excited to share the great news about a culture-shifting movement happening right here in our hometown:
ReadPlayTalk!
ReadPlayTalk (RPT) is a research-based initiative designed to champion early childhood literacy among our
Mesquite ISD students and future MISD students—it’s a community-wide movement. RPT involves businesses and
organizations lending their support in innovative, non-financial ways. Supporting a culture of reading, playing and
talking with children from birth through early childhood can be as simple as encouraging customers, employees or
members to read, play and talk with their children every day.
We as community members, parents and professionals play a major role in the success of RPT. This initiative has
potential to spread across our nation—and quickly—creating a culture shift where literacy is a priority. Playing a part
in this initiative is as easy as the name itself. By reading, playing and talking with our children, we encourage one
another, lead by example, help our children develop vocabulary, language, social skills and so much more.
Through the RPT initiative, all of our MISD students will be reading on grade level by third grade within the next three
years.
Research shows that children who are not reading on level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of
high school before receiving their diploma. In other words, 63 percent of those who are not on reading level by third
grade do not graduate.
These statistics explain, loudly and clearly, why it is imperative that we must create a culture shift together.
With the help of Antonia Garcia and Debbie Oliver, Community Liaison Assistants, I have spent the summer planning,
strategizing, brainstorming and building a RPT team in Mesquite. We have assembled a board of representatives
consisting of influential professionals from all categories of business and organizations throughout the Dallas
area. The MISD School Board approved the RPT board and our literacy initiative in May 2017. My hope is that each
representative will play a major role by implementing a RPT culture into the institutions that align with their expertise
or area of influence.
An official launch of RPT will take place later this fall at the grand opening of the Town East Mall RPT Play Center,
which is one of the many innovative projects our RPT board members are currently working on.
Remember, we all play a part. Read, play, talk… Every Day!
Sincerely
Jaci D. Mouser
MISD Community Liaison
For more information about how to get involved or for a look at what’s going on with RPT today,
visit www.ReadPlayTalk.com.
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