‘Reading with Heroes:’ first responders visit 14 local elementary schools to promote literacy

ST. GEORGE — The hushed quiet of an expectant class never lasted long after a local firefighter or police officer entered their classroom on National Read Across America Day.

Students in kindergarten and first grade classes at Paradise Canyon Elementary eagerly listened and shared their own thoughts as first responders visited their  school, St. George, Utah, March 2, 2022 | Photo by Ammon Teare, St. George News

Brimming with questions and anticipation, elementary school students erupted into a bout of energetic interrogation while sharing their own anecdotes involving law enforcement, reading and everything in between.

In a scene mirrored around the Washington County School District on Tuesday, Vasu Mudliar – a senior firefighter with the St. George Fire Department – answered questions with a smile and explained why he was excited for the opportunity to visit them.

“We’re in 14 different elementary schools today, firefighters and police officers, encouraging all kids to read,” Mudliar said. “A lot of you (kids) said you want to be firefighters, but even if you want to be something else – a teacher, an artist or musician – whatever you want to be you’re starting to learn right now. And what’s going to help you get there: reading.”

Since 2019, Mudliar has championed the reading outreach program (dubbed “Reading With Heroes” by the school district) that began with a personal goal to give back to his community. After reaching out to the school district foundation, it all started with a handful of volunteers visiting six elementary schools.

This year, more than two dozen police and firefighters volunteered to visit classrooms around the county to promote reading. St. George Fire Capt. Daniel Basso joined Mudliar as a reader at Paradise Canyon and said he enjoyed returning as a volunteer after having sent his own children to the school.

St. George Fire Capt. Daniel Basso reads to first grade students in Merced Carreon’s classroom at Paradise Canyon Elementary, St. George, Utah, March 2, 2022 | Photo by Ammon Teare, St. George News

“I think it’s great to get out here and read with the kids,” Basso said. “I used to come and volunteer at this school, and I could see improvement, especially in the younger males, when they had an older male role model there. Some increased their reading literacy by 30-40%, so it definitely helps.”

Teachers and administrators were more than happy to host the first responders, providing books and preparing classes in advance for the short visits.

Kristin Holyoak, reading interventionist at Paradise Canyon Elementary School, said the impact of volunteers helping students enjoy reading can’t be overstated.

“Three-fourths of our day is spent working on reading and writing, so to see an adult they look up to come read to them means so much,” Holyoak said. “Reading can be hard and difficult, but we don’t want them to always be frustrated. We want them to know that it’s fun.”

In addition to visits from first responders, students at Paradise Canyon Elementary are competing to read the most books as a class and tracking their own reading progress as part of the reading celebration.

Vasu Mudliar said the Reading With Heroes event is a good way for firefighters and police to interact with children in a fun environment and to interact outside of a crisis situation, St. George, Utah, March 2, 2022 | Photo by Ammon Teare, St. George News

This year marked the first time officers with the St. George Police Department joined firefighters in visiting classrooms. Officer Jud Calloway, who read at South Mesa Elementary School, said he had such a good experience that he plans to volunteer next year.

“They all had lots of questions like, ‘What’s that on your vest?’ or ‘Do you drive a police car,’ and lots of things like that,” Calloway said. “I got a kick out of the questions that were asked. It was fun for me, and I think they had a good time.”

Perhaps as important as the memories of books being read is the impression left by police officers or firefighters, Mudliar said. Volunteering in classrooms can help dispel fear and humanize first responders in the eyes of young children, building a foundation of trust that may help both parties in the future.

“Most of the time when police or fire are involved it’s an emergency situation or something bad,” Mudliar said. “I think it’s a good way to encourage kids to read and continue learning and help them with other stuff as well. We just want them to know that we’re their friends and we’re here to help.”

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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