LITERACY SPECIAL PROJECTS GRANTS

In January 2006, checks in the amount of $200 each were sent to these recipients of the ORA Literacy Special Projects Grants. Congratulations!

Tonya Rosling – Mid-Valley Council:  Tonya will implement Spanish literature circles for students in the dual immersion program at Lincoln Elementary, grades 2 – 5.  She looks forward to sharing high-quality Spanish literature with her students.

Shari Furtwangler – Emerald Empire:  The staff and PTA at Thurston Elementary will create “Book Bags” which will include a book and appropriate literacy activities.  Book Bags may be checked out by parents to assist them in helping their children with literacy skills at home.

Julie Wilson – Umpqua:  Julie will purchase big books, flannel boards, and puppets for use in their Sunnyslope Preschool Storytime program.  The program will benefit both these special needs preschoolers as well as the students at Sunnyslope Elementary.

Jean Townes – Mid Valley:  Jean will purchase a selection of graphic novels to entice reluctant male readers.  Titles include biographies and stories from history, and require readers to actively use skills required in reading more traditional texts.

Kim Meyers & Shannon Gabriel – Mid Valley:  Kim and Shannon are purchasing leveled readers to be used in conjunction with three family literacy nights they are offering this year at Sunrise Elementary.

Dayle Spitzer Eder – Vineyard Valley:  Dayle plans to promote literacy in young families and the love of books in young children by purchasing board books and reading materials for the on-site nursery library at the Miller Education Center.

Shealon Cooper – Capital:  Shealon will purchase expository texts and materials to create writing boards for four kindergarten classrooms at Stayton Elementary.  The materials will be used in conjunction with already-developed GLAD units and will enhance the kindergarten writer’s workshop.

Melia Jasso - Driftwood:    Melia is establishing a book room for use among the 5th grade teachers at Kalmiopsis Elementary.  She will purchase book sets of quality literature for readers taught in small, cooperative groups.

Tara Barsotti – Emerald:  Tara is organizing a school-wide book award election at O’Hara Catholic School.  Funds will be used to purchase copies of books nominated for Patricia Gallagher, Beverly Cleary, and Young Reader’s Choice Awards. 

Betty Rivinus – Portland:  Betty is coordinating her efforts with a general education teacher and will purchase high-interest, low-readability books and comic books for use with 7th and 8th grade students. 

Mary McClintock – Umpqua:  Mary is helping to raise money to purchase book sets for schools that wish to participate in the Douglas County Battle of the Books.  This competition is part of their annual Celebration of Literacy, a week-long community event sponsored by several organizations, including the Umpqua Reading Council.

Jann Tankersley – Vineyard:  The Reading Team at Dayton Grade School is establishing a week-long literacy event which will include student reading and writing, sharing of writing between classes, presentations of Readers’ Theater and plays, author studies and an author’s lunch.  Funds from the ORA grant will be combined with other sources and will be used toward authors’ fees.

Shirley Kluver – Mid-Valley:  Shirley plans to establish a lunchtime “Poetry Café” as a venue for sharing Reader’s Theatre scripts among her Title I, Special Education, and ESL students.  Funds will be used to purchase poetry books and materials.

Marcia Trujillo – Emerald:  Marcia will purchase a collection of books by Chris Van Allsburg to promote literacy in classrooms K-8 at Dorena.  She is utilizing a variety of reading and writing activities appropriate for different reading levels, different grades, and different purposes.

Gail Jackson-Francis – Umpqua:  Gail’s council will purchase high-interest, low-vocabulary books appropriate for at-risk homeless young people residing at the Casa de Belen, a new homeless shelter in Douglas County.