Atlanta BookPALS: A Year in Review!

Monday, June 09 2008 @ 03:09 PM EDT

We have completed another successful year in Georgia with the Atlanta BookPALS Program! Following is a year in review for the 2007/2008 school year!

"I have had the pleasure to read to these two classes every Friday at Scott Elementary School. They are all wonderful kids and I'm already looking forward to next year. We read through the entire Roald Dahl story "The BFG" and they loved it! Paul Riemann"



Atlanta BookPAL Paul Riemann Reads to Mr. Burney's Second-Grade Class at W.J. Scott Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia



Paul Riemann Reads to Ms. Jennifer Harris' Second-Grade Class at W.J. Scott Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia

Mr. Riemann also read in the classes of Ms. Bonita Dorsey, Mrs. Kelly Worlds, and Ms. Karmelita Harvey.

BOOKPAL COMMENTS:

CAROLYN ELLIS
Love T. Nolan Elementary School

"I was watching TV one morning and there was a show on about the subject of wanting to win. A doctor said that too much energy is spent on wanting to win, when all you have to do (to win) is to play.

I went into my third and fifth-grade classes with students nervous about testing the following week. I told them not to spend too much energy worrying about passing. Just take the test. After the testing, they were happy! I didn't ask any questions. :)"

FREDA GILES
Chase Street Elementary School

"I am very happy to be back at Chase Street Elementary School! The children that I read to last year remember me and it is wonderful to see how they are growing up! Thanks for all that you do for this wonderful program!"

HEATHER PLACE
Norton Park Elementary School

"I've already finished my reading sessions for the school year. This week is Awards Week at Norton Park. My kids gave me quite a send-off on my last day! All the first-grade classes got together and presented me with a gift card to Barnes and Noble and handmade cards! Then the kindergarteners got together and gave me a big, beautiful bag of books! Each kindergarten class had selected a book for 'Miss Heather,' and every child inscribed their name in the front of each book. So I have (9) very special books to remember each class by. The books range from 'Corduroy' to 'A Treasury of Children's Literature.' All books I will read to future kindergarten classes!

It has been such a joy reading to the kids this year! I feel so blessed to be a part of this wonderful program! Thank for all you do, Cindy! Have a great summer."

SHERRY RICHARDS
Suwanee Elementary School

"I just want you to know how much I have enjoyed my first year as a BookPAL reader. My grandson is in kindergarten and I read to his class at Suwanee Elementary School on Tuesday mornings. What a delight to see their faces light up and how excited and inquisitive they get with each reading!!! We have had fun reading books such as 'Horton Hears a Who,' 'Whose Garden is It?' (I brought each of the children a packet of seeds to create their own gardens!), 'Friends and Flowers' (During this reading, they each received a yellow flower to give to a friend), 'Nothing To Do,' and, as a sing-a-long 'Summertime.'

I have attached a picture from my last reading with them. As you can see from their very expressive faces, it is no wonder I am going to miss them during the summer and I look forward to seeing them again next school year when they enter first grade. Thanks for this joy!"



Atlanta BookPAL Sherry Richards Reads to Ms. Scott's Kindergarten Class at Suwanee Elementary School in Suwanee, Georgia

MINNIE TEE
Norcross Elementary School

"Cindy, wow! I can't believe that another year has come and gone. I would like to comment on Norcross Elementary School. From the first moment I walked into this school, I could tell that there was something special about it. My first impression was that it was clean, neat, and orderly, without wreaking of disinfectant. It has such an aura of warmth and friendliness.

Then I met Ms. Latoya Boyd, my first-grade teacher. Evidently,n she used to teach fifth grade, but I didn't find that out until just recently. She loves these children as much as their mothers! She is strict without being cruel. She expects them to behave and learn and she reminds them gently of where they are coming up short so that they can improve.

My experience with this class has been extraordinary. I would come into the room and one of the boys would get a chair for me. They would put away whatever they were working on and then come to sit on the floor around me. I have no words to describe how it feels to have these beautiful, young, intelligent eyes focused on me and listening to every word coming out of my mouth. I wish I could have made my arms reach around the entire group all at once to hug them.

If there was time at the end of the reading, we would sing a song. I would also interject some of my words of wisdom from time to time, especially if there was something in the news that may have reached their ears. Of course, we all want world peace, but what are we doing to achieve it? Well, one of my ways of eliminating hate from the world is to tell the children that people have different colored skin, different colored hair, and different colored eyes, but although we are different from one another, there are more things about us that are the same."

SCHOOL COMMENTS:

BURGESS-PETERSON ACADEMY
Atlanta, Georgia

"The students in my kindergarten class look forward to Mr. (Doug) Kaye coming every week! This year, we used several of the stories he shared to earn accelerated reading points. Mr. Kaye does an excellent job of exposing the students to a variety of books. He helps to develop a love for reading. I feel that the BookPALS Program motivated students to want to go to the library to get different books. Since some students don't get books read to them at home, it gives them another chance to get excited about books and reading. It also helps with comprehension skills because Mr. Kaye always asks them questions about what he read. My class enjoys Mr. Kaye and they look enjoyed his company and George. We look forward to working with Uncle Dunkle in the fall! Debbie Hughey, Kindergarten Teacher"

HIGH POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Atlanta, Georgia

"Both Helen (Ingebritsen) and Martha (Knighton) are fabulous! The children love them and the teachers feel so blessed to have them read. We appreciate the extra time and energy they give to us. They make a wonderful difference. We hope that they both have a great summer and come back to us the next school year to read to the children again!"

HIGHTOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Doraville, Georgia

"Thank you so very much for your book donation! Our third-graders shouted, 'Yeaaahhh for our Million Words!

Temi Levy and Adora Poon are part of the Hightower family. Our school made AYP again, it's 10th year, and we would like to think BookPALS played a role in that. The hugs that the students give the readers and the spontaneous questions at the end, show the connection that the BookPALS have established with the students. Our population is 80% English Language Learners, so there is little adult modeling of reading in the home because of language barriers.

The thing that I enjoyed most about our BookPALS was their ability to make books come alive for students. It was a joy to observe! It brought home the meaning of fluency, intonation, and oral language use in trying to teach those dreaded punctuation marks at the end of sentences.

Adora, when the class read Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say, one of the students remembered you bringing your mom and made a connection, since she had traveled a distance. The BookPALS Program is an excellent example of giving back to the community. Who knows? You may be grooming future BookPALS! Christine C. Parker, Upper Grades Literacy Coach"

McLENDON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Decatur, Georgia

"Because Kathryn Firago is an artist, she reads with wonderful expression and the kids' eyes light up whenever she walks into the room! She encouraged the students to act out characters in the story during recess, which helped with retention of material and improved their writing. Many of the books Kathryn chose were on a higher grade level and this stimulated lively conversation among the students. We all appreciated Kathryn so much! I am sorry that we were so busy at the end of the year and we didn't get to properly thank her for all that she did for our class. Thank you, Kathryn, for the beautiful handmade, personalized bookmarks! Patricia Nix, Teacher"

L.P. MILES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Atlanta, Georgia

"Monica Pearson's last day in Ms. Polak's first grade class was very special. The visit began with Monica reading Junie B. Jones to the students while they were enjoying the tasty treats she brought. The visit ended with Monica awarding each student with a chapter book to read over the summer. Monica really encouraged all the students to become fantastic readers throughout the year. During the school day, Ms. Polak's students would travel the hallways to and from Specials reading a book. They looked forward to Monica's visit every Tuesday. She was always present and full of energy when they were together. She would leave them after each visit with encouraging words or quotes, and embraced them all with her traditional "Bear Hug!" Thanks to you, Monica, for another GREAT year of reading and inspiration to the students and staff at L.P. Miles Elementary School! Christopher Estes, Principal; Barbara Heard, Literacy Coach; and Gail Polak, First Grade Teacher"

LOVE T. NOLAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Atlanta, Georgia

"Carolyn (Ellis) is such an asset to Love T. Nolan! The students really look forward to seeing her when she comes to the school, as she adds to much to our literacy program. I look forward to working with Carolyn this upcoming school year! Chandra D. Lemons, Principal"

NORCROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Norcross, Georgia

"Ms. Minnie (Tee) was very devoted and not only read weekly, but built a relationship with my students! Ms. Minnie always returned with a healthy snack and my students responded, 'Ms. Minnie loves us just like you, Ms. Boyd!' Very special moment. I enjoyed Ms. Minnie's enthusiasm and devotion to my students and the extras she provided which made the students feel special. Ms. Minnie was great we love her! The students appreciate it when they see someone genuinely investing in them, and they felt it through her every time she came in our class! Ms. Minnie is truly special! I highly recommend others to become involved in the BookPALS Program! LaToya Boyd, Teacher"

"My kids were very excited to have Mr. (Lawrence) Johnson come on Fridays! It has been a great program! The thing that I enjoyed most about BookPALS was the excitement in students' faces when they realized that it was time for Mr. Johnson to come! He read books that my students were excited to read and reread on their own later. Thank you so much for your patience and enthusiasm with my students! I could see how excited they were when they made connections through the books. You fostered that excitement in the absolute best way! Thanks again for a great shared reading experience! Jennifer Burchardt, Teacher"

"The kids enjoyed listening to Lawrence Johnson! They learned about different genres. Lawrence was great and I think him for coming! Veronica Knapper, Teacher"

NORTON PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Smyrna, Georgia

"Heather (Place) is very prepared and dependable. The students look forward to BookPAL day! BookPALS attributed to an excitement for reading! Heather would choose a book that went with our curriculum or a seasonal theme. The thing that I enjoyed most about the program was seeing the students interact with Heather - singing, using motions, etc. Thank you for another great year of excellent books! Ms. Avison and Ms. McGinnis, Teachers"

"'When I grow up, I am going to read books just like Miss Heather!' was one comment from a student. Thank you for all the wonderful books you read to my class! My students got involved in the books and I believe it inspired them to read. They have an opportunity to demonstrate comprehension. I would like to have Heather Place next year! Ms. D. Misna, Teacher"

"Heather was loved by all the students! They absolutely loved her book selections. Even ESOL students could participate and enjoy the stories. My students wanted to decorate our classroom door to go along with their favorite stories. We look forward to having Heather (Place) again next year! Rene Nelson, Teacher"

"The children always look forward to Miss Heather's stories! They get so involved in the stories. They love the fairy tales and love to share which are their favorites. The children are always brought into the story, whether it is chanting a repeat pattern or making sounds for the animals. We enjoy the stories and they all stay engaged. Thank you to Heather Place for all of the caring support that she gives to Norton Park! We appreciate the time that she has taken to read stories to our children! Our children enjoy having someone other than the teachers share stories. Many of our children do not have parents that speak English. It is a must to have many opportunities for read-alouds! Marsha Senior, Teacher"

"One story inspired my students to perform a Reader's Theatre for other classes and parents to attend. I like the way Heather incorporated character education into her story time! Carol Stewart, Teacher"

"Ms. Place was always so enthusiastic and excited about reading to the students! She gave the students choices of popular books and students always enjoyed the stories! Ms. Place faithfully came to read to the students did a perfect job! Thank you for taking the time to read to the students! Mrs. Piper-Turner, Teacher"

"Miss Heather (Place) uses different voices to convey the characters to the students. She also has students participate in choral reading. Sherrie Wissing"

POWERS FERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Marietta, Georgia

"Cathy (Kaemmerlen) was so engaging and students got a good sampling of great literature! Cathy always asked questions of the students and was sincerely interested in their comments. She improved their self-esteem. While having Fun Center time, I rang the bell to clean up to go see Ms. Kaemmerlen and the kids shouted 'Yay!!!" Cathy asked students about their favorite things and chose an appropriate book. My students learned to appreciate the value of books as our BookPAL totally engaged them with her wonderful delivery of quality literature! Nancy Miller, Teacher"

RIVER EVES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Roswell, Georgia

"Mr. Klein comes to my second-grade class. We absolutely adore his enthusiasm and great storytelling voices!! Thank you for allowing him to spend some time with us on Fridays. I hope we can have him next year!!! Carly Biegel"

"Rob Pralgo is excellent and is really tuned in with the students' interests! He reads with a lot of energy and always has the full attention of the group! Mandy Newport"

"I enjoyed Mr. Pralgo's sense of humor and enjoyed watching the children's reaction to it! Students learned how to read with expression. BookPALS is something that the students look forward to and it allows them to think of reading as a FUN activity, rather than a chore. I hope we do it again next year!"

SANDERS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Austell, Georgia

"Joanna Maddox is always a delight to the audiences at Sanders Elementary School. She is prompt and communicates well with the teachers. Pamela A. Dingle, Principal"

BookPALS
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