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Students in teacher Becky Alway’s classroom at Mason County Central Scottville Elementary last school year. Alway’s classroom received an earlier grant. WSESD photo
West Shore School News is presented by West Shore Educational Service District in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press.
LUDINGTON — A partnership among several west Michigan organizations is seeking community support to fund 24 classroom libraries for second-grade students in Mason, Lake and Oceana counties.
The Adopt-a-Library program has raised $35,500 toward its $72,000 fundraising goal. The libraries are expected to be provided to participating classrooms in the spring.
Pennies from Heaven Foundation has partnered with TalentFirst, a west Michigan business-led workforce development organization, and West Shore Educational Service District (WSESD) to expand the program to interested second-grade classrooms throughout the three counties.
The partnership eliminates the program’s usual $500 school matching requirement and competitive selection process. WSESD also will provide stipends to participating teachers who complete the program’s training.
The Community Foundation for Mason County recently approved a grant to match 50% of eligible funds raised for the 12 participating Mason County classrooms. The matching funds will allow community donations to have a greater impact.
“Building a strong workforce begins long before students are ready to choose a career,” said Andrea Large, executive director of the Community Foundation for Mason County. “When children develop strong reading skills early on, they gain the foundation they need to succeed in school and explore the many pathways available to them, whether that’s college, skilled trades, or other career training. Supporting classroom libraries is one way we can help ensure every child has access to the learning opportunities that prepare them for a successful future.”
According to information provided by the partnering organizations, 38.2% of Michigan third graders are proficient in reading, compared to 26.7% in the West Shore Educational Service District region.
“We know early literacy is an important building block for future opportunities and success. Unfortunately, our region lags behind the state average — not because our schools lack effort or passion, but because this is a challenge that takes all of us,” said Monica Jewell, executive director of Pennies from Heaven Foundation.
Jewell said the program is intended to support the work already taking place in classrooms.
“This program isn’t the whole solution to reading proficiency, but it’s part of the puzzle. It’s a tangible way for our community to support the critical work our schools and teachers are doing,” Jewell said. “Together, we can help build a culture of reading and open doors for our students.”
The partnership also connects early literacy with workforce development. Career and technical education students will create plaques for the classroom libraries recognizing their sponsors.
Businesses and individuals are encouraged to sponsor classroom libraries. Donations supporting Mason County classrooms may qualify for the 50% matching grant, subject to grant requirements and available funding.
Those interested in sponsoring a classroom or learning more about the program may contact Jewell at monica.jewell@pfhf.org or Lisa Hungerford, director of education innovation at TalentFirst, at L.Hungerford@TalentFirst.net.
Additional information about the partnering organizations is available at www.pfhf.org and www.TalentFirst.net.
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