In Richardson ISD, meaningful school partnerships often begin with historic community connections. When relationships come full circle, they have the power to transform entire school communities.
For Richland Elementary, that connection started in a third-grade classroom at Northwood Hills Elementary, where Principal Bill Gattus taught Ellie Granson, who happens to be Tennessee Titans tight end Kylen Granson’s sister. He played college football at Southern Methodist University and Rice University before being drafted to the NFL.
Years later, that connection would help bring KG’s Kids, a literacy-focused nonprofit founded by Kylen Granson, to life on campus, benefiting hundreds of students and igniting a renewed excitement for reading.
While Granson has had success on the field, his passion lies in being a lifelong learner and his deep love for reading. KG’s Kids is an organization based in Indianapolis, where his family has strong ties and where he began his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts.
Since the partnership with Richland began in November, the impact on the campus has been incredible, bringing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. “This partnership has been truly transformational for our students,” says Bill Gattus, “Kylen’s passion for literacy and his role as a positive influence have made a lasting impact on our campus. It reinforces the message that success truly begins in the classroom with reading. As a principal, it’s inspiring to see his family pour into the lives of our students. This partnership has not only strengthened a love for reading, but also instilled a belief in learning and in what’s possible for our Richland Rockets.”
This spring, KG’s Kids launched a campus-wide reading initiative. Every fifth grader was gifted a copy of the book, Dogtown, along with study materials to help support comprehension and discussion. Nearly every student took part! The momentum continued, leading to a campus-wide reading challenge. The finals were a high-energy, game-show-style event that truly celebrated student learning.
The opportunities keep coming. The two Richland finalists represented Richardson ISD at a regional competition hosted at SMU, competing against students from neighboring districts. The experience included a VIP campus tour and gave students a glimpse into their future and reinforced the connection between literacy and opportunity.
Last week, students, staff, and families were invited to attend the SMU football game.
While the competitions and experiences have created excitement, it’s the everyday impact that matters most. KG’s Kids hosted a completely free book fair on campus. Every student selected a brand-new book to take home. In total, more than $10,000 worth of books have been placed directly into students’ hands, removing barriers and building home libraries across the community.
As an extra special treat, students also received signed footballs and books from Kylen Granson himself.
In Richardson ISD, students are discovering the joy of reading one experience at a time.
