September 22, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Tammy Dodderidge, communications
manager, (913) 279-2225
It's a place where learning and creativity will flourish for years to come. On Friday, September 23, ME Pearson Elementary School, 310 N. 11th St., Kansas City, Kansas, will unveil its newly renovated library, courtesy of Target Corp. and The Heart of America Foundation. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony and formal program at 10:15 a.m., followed by the opening at 10:30 a.m.
The new 55' x 42' library features 2,000 new books, a complete technology upgrade including iPods and iPads, new shelves, furniture, carpeting and more.
"This library is a dream come true for our students and staff," said Connie Horner, principal. "It will be a place for our students to read, write, research, collaborate and learn. We are so grateful for this generous gift."
The library makeover process began in March when representatives of Target and Heart of America contacted the Kansas City, Kansas City Public Schools to invite qualifying schools in the district to apply. Schools applying for the makeover were required to have more than 65% of their students on meal assistance and more than 25% of their students reading at or below basic levels. Several schools in the district applied and after site visits by Target and Heart of America in May, ME Pearson was chosen as the recipient of the makeover. At the time of their application, ME Pearson had 96 percent of their students on meal assistance and 60 percent reading at or below basic levels.
As an educator, Horner knows that reading is the most important skill her students can master. When she became principal at ME Pearson two years ago, she began looking at ways she could create more offerings in the school library to enhance reading and learning for students. But more resources and programs meant expansion and with a student population of more than 600 students, space was limited. So they maintained their library in three rooms. One room was used for check out of materials, and the other two rooms were used for technology, research, storytelling and other programs. The biggest challenge: two rooms were located in the portable mobile units behind the school building, and the third was inside the school building. While it worked, Horner and her staff dreamed of the day when they could have their library space all together to create a more cohesive environment and more opportunities for learning.
And now their dream is a reality.
Later this year, Horner plans to open the library one Saturday a month to allow parents and students more opportunities for learning.
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