It’s rare for private and public schools to join forces in Dallas, but Preston Hollow’s Walnut Hill Elementary and The Lamplighter School students got the chance to know each other better this week.

Walnut Hill second-graders joined Lamplighter students for the school’s Dooley Author Series, when award-winning illustrators and authors visit the private school bi-annually. On Tuesday, Newberry Medal winner Matt de la Peña read to students and signed copies of his books on a DART bus.

Lamplighter students (left to right) Avery Park, Anny Draper and Lila Puig listen to Newberry Medal winner Matt de la Peña speak.

Lamplighter students (left to right) Avery Park, Anny Draper and Lila Puig listen to Newberry Medal winner Matt de la Peña speak. Photo courtesy of The Lamplighter School.

Lamplighter students were paired with Walnut Hill students and gave each a signed copy of de la Peña’s book ” Last Stop on Market Street.”  They also plan to keep in touch through a pen pal program.

The education reform organization Commit! coordinated the event with the private and public schools. Established in 2012, Commit! encourages student achievement through data analysis and community partnerships.

Learn more about their efforts here.