Summer Book Mobile Strikes Again
During the last few summers, Louise White Elementary School English Language (EL) Teacher Julie Parkhurst has been delivering books and books on CD to her English language learners to help them keep their literacy skills fresh and to ensure they are listening to English while not in school.
Mrs. Parkhurst decided to go mobile with books after reading much research—and data from the research—about the impact of growing up with books vs. little or no books.
“We received hundreds of book donations this summer from community members,” said Mrs. Parkhurst. “BPS101’s Amy Nelson put out the word that we needed books. She contacted Joanne Spitz at CHIP IN Batavia and the community responded. The outpouring of books was amazing! My colleague Jackie Huffnus and I had two cars full of books to share with our students. And, boy, did the kids enjoy choosing their own books.”
Twice this summer, Mrs. Parkhurst and Mrs. Huffnus, EL teacher at H.C. Storm Elementary School, went to the BPS101 summer school session at Grace McWayne Elementary School and handed out books. All summer school participants received books, including students in the EL, bilingual, and ESY programs.
The two teachers also went door to door to deliver books to their English language learners.
“This was Jackie’s first year to deliver books with me. After our first deliveries, she turned to me and said, ‘I love this. I can’t wait to do it again.’ This is exactly how I have felt over the years,” explained Mrs. Parkhurst. “There is nothing like making personal connections with our students and their families. I have even delivered books at a shoe repair shop where one of my student’s helps her dad. We can’t thank CHIP IN Batavia, Amy Nelson, and the community members who donated hundreds of books for BPS101 students. It’s been another magical summer of reading.”
If you have gently used children’s books on CD that you would like to donate anytime during the school year, please drop them off at Louise White Elementary School and mark them for “Julie Parkhurst.”
