So most everyone who has encountered me on this blog knows pretty much that I’m passionate about literacy. I’m a pretty decent political organizer, but organizing projects around literacy is where I really go all in. I’ve been a member of a successful coalition in my city two years ago to save 11 neighborhood libraries. I’ve also, created a tri-state reading program as a key component of the King Day of Service that selects one book a year, asks students to read the book and submit essays. I instituted this program two years ago and although I’m no longer with the non-profit, this program is still thriving and has become a main component for students to get involved with the King Day of Service.
Over the past few days, I’ve been thinking about putting together another literacy project that would require participation by many of you here. I’ve been going back and forth with the feasibility of the project but then the universe has collided to force me to just get it going.
More below the fold...
First, after jotting down my notes about my vision for this literacy project, I learned that my son’s Friends school is sponsoring a book drive for schools in North Philadelphia. Then today, I read this article that I want to share with you. The issues presented in this article have been on my mind since my fight against our mayor to close 11 neighborhood libraries.
A Happy Ending for School Library
MICHAEL REAVEY, hired as Potter-Thomas Elementary School's librarian a year ago, found that the library was little more than "a storage room with old books purchased 40 years ago under the LBJ [Lyndon Baines Johnson] administration."
The North Philadelphia school's library was also dark, he said, with dim lighting and filled with old projectors.
Similar conditions have existed in the libraries of many city schools for more than a decade, librarians say.
But Potter-Thomas, a kindergarten-through-8th-grade school at 6th Street and Indiana Avenue - in a neighborhood some people refer to as "the Badlands" - has hit the jackpot.
Potter-Thomas was one of 32 schools in the nation selected this year to win a $200,000 library renovation in the Target School Library Makeover program.
Thank you, Target. Since my work at a non-profit, I’ve appreciated Target for their commitment to community service and the communities where they are located.
Some more information about school libraries in my city:
In the late 1990s, a time of huge budget deficits, the school district began eliminating librarian positions and failed to replace those who retired or found other jobs.
Reavey was among the librarians laid off due to budget cuts at the time, he said.
Today, of the district's 258 schools, only 120 have libraries, said Rachelle Nocito, the district's content specialist for libraries. And those 120 libraries have only 71 certified librarians with master's degrees in library science, she said.
The libraries without certified librarians are staffed either by teachers or by aides or assistants not required to have college degrees, Nocito said.
Yes, less than HALF of the public schools in my city have school libraries. This is why library advocates fought so hard when the mayor propose to close 11 of our neighborhood libraries, mostly if not exclusively located in poor areas.
"Numerous studies have shown there is a strong correlation between student achievement in standardized reading tests and libraries with certified school librarians," said Barbara Goodman, spokeswoman for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.
Librarian associations say that certified librarians help children select books that nurture a love for reading and teach research skills and how to navigate the Internet for reliable sources of information.
"The School District of Philadelphia probably has the worst record in the state in terms of certified school librarians to students," said Debra Kachel, of the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association.
She noted that Superintendent Arlene Ackerman's Imagine 2014 plan to improve the city's worst-performing schools includes strengthening libraries.
Imagine 2014, a five-year strategic plan, calls for investing $7.2 million into six struggling schools, called "Promise Academies."
When Ackerman announced the plan in 2008, she said it was disturbing that the city's "magnet schools," such as Masterman and Central high schools, have a wealth of resources, while many "neighborhood schools," often in high-poverty areas, have few of the basics such as libraries, librarians or school counselors.
Potter-Thomas is one of six Promise Academies that opened during this school year, with longer school days, new books, and field trips and after-school activities. Also, students wear prep-school uniforms of navy blazers and khaki pants or skirts.
Yes, those inequalities that I tirelessly discuss.
At Potter-Thomas last Friday, there were squeals of joy and exclamations of "Oh, my God!" "Look at this!" and "Wow!" from children getting their first look at the revamped library.
One kindergarten boy turned a cartwheel near a corner decorated with stuffed animals and brightly colored bean-bag chairs. Other small children eagerly pulled books off the shelves.
Lauren Poulter, in her first year as a teacher, wiped a mist of tears from her eyes.
"It's amazing," Poulter said as she watched her 6th graders sit at tall coffee-shop styled tables, designed for older children, and pore through books.
"I walked in and started to cry because I'm so happy for them."
Poulter said that she had been going to yard sales to buy books for her pupils.
And finally the voice of a parent...
And parent Carmen Rivas, who has four children at the school - in third, fifth, sixth and eighth grades - said things are better, now that it is a Promise Academy.
Now for the wrap-up and the pitch. I think this story ties in nicely with a literacy project that I would like to help support. As I mentioned my son’s school is having a book drive of new and/or gently used books that they will donate to schools in North Philadelphia before Thanksgiving. The school has donated books for years and I’m asking Kossacks to get involved. I do not want to post my son's schools on the blog for obvious reasons but will take discussions of possible donations offline to protect the safety of the students at the school.
If you want to get involved and donate books to schools in North Philly, please comment below. We can discuss ways to make the connections and get the books to my son's school. If you are not really moved to help children so far away, let’s discuss ways that you can start a book drive in your area and identify schools that may best be served. With enough timing, you can contact a publisher and they may be willing to donate books. Two years ago, I was able to successful solicit 100 Martin and Me books from a Disney publisher with very little hassle. So, we can discuss ways to get this project off the ground in your area. Comment below and let’s start to make an impact on children’s lives. Wouldn't it be great to adopt a classroom with a group of friends and neighbors and make sure every kid goes home with a book to read over the holidays. If you think this is a great idea, let's get to discussing ways to make it happen.