Education
Spring into Summer Reading at Local Schools and Library Events
There are few natural highs superior to a good book by the pool on a perfect summer day. To foster a genuine love affair with reading at a young age, schools and libraries must get super creative, especially in our current socially distant climate. So, let’s peel the page back and see what’s in store for burgeoning Peachtree Corners book lovers.
Gwinnett County Public Library Events
The Gwinnett County Public Library system offers countless educational and recreational programming of all kinds. Here are some upcoming highlights.
Storytime LIVE! via Google Hangouts
April 2, 10:30-11 a.m.
Enjoy a new storytime with stories, songs, games and a new way to get social via Google Hangouts. This program is geared towards toddlers/preschoolers, but any child is welcome to join in! There is a limit of 25 kids and their caregivers, so please register at gwinnettpl.org.
Virtual Author Talk —
Martha Alanis
April 10, 11 a.m.
Diverse Voices: A Bilingual, Children’s Author Storytime featuring Martha Alanis.
Open Your World Book Club
April 20, 3-4:30 p.m.
For adults and teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Readers and aspiring readers are invited to join online for reading, listening and discussion of adapted versions of classic short stories and novels. Registration required.
Read Like a Trailblazer—Paul Duke STEM High School
In keeping with the school’s overall motto of “We are the Trailblazers,” the media center at Paul Duke Stem High School is currently running a reading promotion aptly titled “Read Like a Trailblazer.”
“What I am trying to get kids to do is to define what a trailblazer is — someone who challenges the status quo, who sees an injustice and wants to fix it or address in some way,” said Media Specialist Christine Pulliam. “So we have been promoting a lot of memoirs from revolutionaries of thought or action, who can help kids think outside of the box and not always operate in a straight line, but create new paths.”
At the moment, the Read Like a Trailblazer promotion mainly pertains to recommendations to students to pick up titles they might not normally consider, so that they can relate to and learn from the heroes of past and present. Perhaps it might inspire them to blaze their own trails in avenues previously unexplored.
Pulliam is “bursting with ideas” to do more, such as a weekly writing workshop for thoughtful students to create comprehensive exposés centered around compelling historical trailblazers, or perhaps turning that enlightening research into beautiful informative school posters.
As is to be expected, the trail of the library aisle has limited access to students at this time for safety reasons, which in turn limits the ability to implement complex, comprehensive promotional projects.
But the trailblazers of Paul Duke are not easily deterred. We suspect that given a little time, the resourceful staff that keeps books on the shelves and insightful ideas in the minds of teens will find a way to keep the fires of the trailblazers lit.
GAC Reads! Program, Middle School Book Club and More
Greater Atlanta Christian (GAC) Spartans have lots of literary inspiration at their disposal.
The first week of March marked special learning moments for the Early Learning Village at GAC, which is comprised of Pre-K3 and Kindergarten classes. GAC Reads! is an annual program for the little ones to connect with books and reading in an intentional way.
This year, there is a focus on American authors, with a wide range of authors both male and female, as well as current and ‘tried and true’ choices across many cultures. Each day of the week had a creative student participation theme and a compelling recommended list for teachers to pull from during story time.
■ Monday – “American Authors” Red, White, and Blue Day
■ Tuesday – Silly Socks Day
■ Wednesday – ABC Day
■ Thursday – Hat Day
■ Friday – Pajama Day
The GAC HS/MS Library Media Specialist, Mrs. Bonnie Baker, expressed lots of enthusiasm for the progress of the GAC Middle School Book Club. “The GAC Middle School Book Club is off to a great start,” Baker said. “Twenty students from 6th to 8th grades are meeting during lunch to learn about new books, play literature related games and talk about the great books they have read.
“In March and April, the book club will be giving input on our summer reading program and helping to choose our theme for this summer’s Ultimate Reading Challenge. They will also be creating book reviews to be displayed in the library for other students, helping those who struggle to find good books their peers have enjoyed,” she said.
Author Talk with Marsha Skrypuch
Fourth and fifth graders Zoomed with author Marsha Skrypuch on March 24. Ms. Skrypuch specializes in writing historical fiction for children’s literature.
Alphapalooza Contest
First to third graders are invited to participate in the book contest Alphapalooza! The contest requires students to read a book from each letter in the alphabet and keep a journal.
Virtual Book Fair
The Henderson Media Center, along with Scholastic, will have a virtual book fair April 26 through May 7. Students can buy books for summer reading and support the Media Center.
Book Character Dress-Up!
GAC Elementary (Pre-first to fifth grades) hosted Book Character Dress-Up Day on March 24. Students dressed as their favorite book character and were encouraged to bring the book to school.
Caldecott Art Contest for Pre-first to Third Grades
The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
The Caldecott Art Contest was hosted by the Henderson Media Center, collecting all entries by March 26. Pre-first to third graders turned pieces of artwork that illustrates a book cover or a scene relating to a Caldecott Medal (or Honors) book.
90-Second Newbery Contest for Third to Fifth Grades
The Newbery Medal has been recognized as the most prestigious award in children’s literature. The 90-Second Newbery Contest invites students in third to fifth grade to create a short movie or piece of artwork that tells the story of a Newbery-winning book. Films are about a minute and a half long, and artwork could be any medium of choice; all entries were collected by March 26.
Simpson Elementary School celebrated Exceptional Children’s Week (ECW) last month with five days of special activities to recognize their special needs population and all of their exceptional students.
April 14–18 is set aside each year to celebrate children with disabilities, gifts and talents. This year’s ECW theme was Bridging Gaps and Building Futures, and the school was happy to take part.
They highlighted each day of the week on the morning news with fun facts about notable people in society — and throughout history — who have overcome challenges with their disabilities, including actor Daniel Radcliffe (who has lived with dyspraxia for his entire life), Tom Cruise, Whoopi Goldberg, Frida Kahlo and Helen Keller.
Simpson Elementary’s technology team also pre-recorded various special needs classes reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every day of the week.
Guest speaker
To end their ECW with a bang, they invited former Simpson Elementary parent, State Representative Scott Hilton, to come in and speak to their K-2 classes about raising his son, Chase (who is autistic and now a student at Norcross High School), and how being different is okay.
“Showing kindness and being inclusive is the best version of humanity,” said Dr. Taffeta Connery, Simpson Elementary School principal, in a statement about the event.
“Simpson Elementary has a special needs population of 214 (23%) of 946 students. [And] … we strive to ensure that our students are valued, recognized and instilled with high expectations for all.”
For more about Simpson Elementary, visit simpsones.gcpsk12.org.
The Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA) awarded local high school senior, Heidi Chung, a $1,000 scholarship during their April 24 Business After Hours event. Heidi and her family were presented with the scholarship and introduced to the organization’s members and guests at the monthly gathering.
Heidi was accepted by several colleges and has selected the University of Kentucky to continue her education, pursuing a degree in nursing. When asked what lessons she has learned from her experiences volunteering and serving in the community throughout her life, Heidi commented, “I have learned that true leadership is about service, taking initiative and persevering through challenges.”
Scholarship Chair Donna Linden and Outreach Director Suzanna Martinez shared that the scholarship committee was impressed with Heidi’s many accomplishments, “whether she was organizing fundraisers, leading performance groups or helping athletes recover from injuries, Heidi demonstrated a positive impact on the community, as well as outstanding academic results.”
Funds for the PCBA Community Outreach Program are raised throughout the year from PCBA membership, sponsorship and an annual charity event. Donations and scholarships are awarded at PCBA’s monthly events so that members have the opportunity to learn more about the individuals and organizations.
“We are so proud that the PCBA has … awarded 20 scholarships to outstanding future business leaders and donated in excess of $173,000 into our metro Atlanta community over the last 13 years,” stated Lisa Proctor, PCBA board president.
About Peachtree Corners Business Association
“Where Businesses Come to Grow,” the Peachtree Corners Business Association is a business membership organization that focuses on innovative approaches, programs, shared resources, community outreach and opportunities for member businesses and professionals to connect, develop, grow and prosper.
The PCBA is made up of businesses of all sizes and types who want to expand their reach and grow their business within Peachtree Corners and the greater metro Atlanta area.
For more information, call 678-969-3385, email membership@peachtreecornersba.com or visit peachtreecornersba.com.
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