Springfield College partners with Brookings, DeBarry schools
Date: 5/16/2013
By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comSPRINGFIELD — For the kindergarten class at the Elias Brookings Museum Magnet School, the book they received and the reading tip sheet for their parents is a start to continue their preparation for first grade.
The students all received a copy of Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," as part of a gift bag given to them by Springfield College (SC). Out-going SC President Richard Flynn presented the gift bags at an assembly on May 10.
This was the first time the college had handed out the books and reading tips, SC Director of Marketing and Communications Steve Roulier said. The book distribution is part of the partnership the college has with Brookings, he added. The William N. DeBarry School was to receive a similar donation on May 14.
The work the college undertakes at both schools is part of is "Remember to Read" literacy program.
Brookings Principal Terry Powe asked thanked the parents of the students for coming and urged them to read to them daily. The tip sheet, she said, recommended such exercises from having children repeat tongue twisters to using the name of the child as a character in a book when read aloud.
Powe told Reminder Publications the partnership with the college is "amazing."
She added, "it makes me proud to be an alumna of Springfield College."
The partnership with the college "is a great way to piggyback on the mission and vision of our schools."
