Treasure Forest Elementary Celebrates with Astros Mascot Orbit

Thumping music and the cheering of hundreds of students at Treasure Forest Elementary Schools filled the air as a large, fuzzy, green visitor took center stage to lead a campus celebration of books and literacy earlier this week in SBISD.

Rocking some spectacular dance moves, the Houston Astros’ mascot, Orbit, made his way through the crowd, high-fiving students, and bebopping to energetic tunes along the way. The timing of the celebration could not have been more perfect and was one of two visits the mascot made in Spring Branch ISD, the other being to Hollibrook Elementary School earlier in the week.

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The fun began with a rousing reminder of the Houston Astros’ recent World Championship win. Both students and adults went wild, and the energy didn’t stop there.  Through cheering contests, t-shirt giveaways, and a lively three-strikes activity the room was alive with excitement about the visitor and the message of achieving excellence through education.

The event, supported by the Barbara Bush Foundation, was one of the several activities the Foundation’s supported at Treasure Forest, Hollibrook Elementary, and other schools around the district.

Treasure Forest received support to launch the My Home Library initiative last school year with every student receiving six new books to build an at-home, personal reading library. Campus Librarian, Shanda Fraser, is preparing for an additional six books for each student this semester from the organization.

Earlier this month 700 students at Hollibrook collected their six new books as part of the initiative, and in the wake of Tropic Storm Harvey, the program has expanded to include additional campuses impacted by storm flooding.

In all, up to 2,500 SBISD students will receive My Home Library books this school year through the organization; up to 25,00 students across the Houston area. Read more about Hollibrook’s My Home Library book giveaway here.

As the cheering faded and Orbit waved goodbye, students began to file out of the gym and toward class exiting through the campus library. Librarian Fraser watching them face beaming and a bebop in her step. 

Learn more about the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and related philanthropic opportunities.