Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Students receive more than books this year as the district honors two decades of Good Neighbors supporting schools.

For 20 years, Spring Branch ISD’s (SBISD) Good Neighbor program has celebrated the power of community partnerships. This year, the milestone coincides with another tradition: the annual Dictionary Project, where every third grader in SBISD receives the gift of words to spark a lifelong love of learning.

Together, these two programs highlight the important role of our community — including many senior citizens — play in shaping the future of local students.

“Every dictionary given is more than pages and definitions; it’s a symbol of connection between generations,” said Katie Redd, Community Engagement Coordinator. “For two decades, our Good Neighbors have been building bridges from classrooms to living rooms, from students to senior citizens. That’s what makes SBISD unique.”

Good Neighbors sponsor the Dictionary Project presentations, helping students discover the power of words in a personal and memorable way. Beyond the project, they also serve as mentors, tutors, and campus volunteers, giving their time to strengthen connections between the community and classrooms. To date, SBISD has more than 9,400 approved volunteers making a difference across its schools!

The Dictionary Project has distributed more than 51,000 dictionaries to district students since its inception. For many children, it’s their very first book to call their own. But for the district, the effort is about much more: sparking curiosity, building literacy, and reminding students that their community believes in them.