Bush’s Chicken partners with CCISD to promote reading

Special to Leader-Press

Bush’s Chicken may be known for its sweet tea and tasty chicken, but Martin Walker Elementary students also associate the fast food restaurant with literacy. 
Krissy Wagner, who handles public relations for the local Bush’s franchise, contacted the school library about rewarding students with chicken dinners when they meet specific criteria. School librarian Teresa Garrett aligned the Bush’s Chicken rewards with the Books and Beyond Reading incentive program for students in grades K-2. 
“Students read and receive charms for each 20 books they read. Since students were already turning in reading logs to document their reading, it was easy to add another incentive,” Garrett said. “For students in the upper grades, they will earn chicken dinners for reading the required five Bluebonnet books and voting in the state program and for completing seasonal reading challenges that are sent home periodically. Food is always a great motivator.”
Wagner attended the school’s six week’s awards ceremony to congratulate and pass out coupons to qualifying students. 
“Since Bush’s is a community business, we want to do whatever we can to encourage students and their families to read since reading is a skill that will make students successful in school and beyond,” Wagner said.
Bush’s is piloting the program through Martin Walker and if successful, will offer it to additional CCISD schools next year. More than 100 coupons have been awarded to date and s are being redeemed on a regular basis, Wagner said.
Parent Brianne Turner welcomes the additional incentive that encourages her daughter to develop a love of reading.
“Emerson is very excited about this new opportunity,” Turner said. “She can’t wait to go to Bush’s.”