Lady Evelyn Alternative School Celebrates Reading
By Brian Donahue, Lady Evelyn School Council

On Friday, September 15 the staff and students of Lady Evelyn Alternative School invited some special guests and parents to the school for a special event appropriately called “For The Love of Reading”. The event was organized to launch a very special collection of books recently purchased by the school library.

The idea was started last spring when the Ministry of Education granted funds for all school libraries.  Staff members at the school were asked to submit the titles of their five most favourite story books.  The resulting collection of books spans a wide range of reading levels, multicultural topics, science, fiction, old and new titles, and most importantly stories that have personal meaning for the staff.  Each staff member was video-taped speaking about one of their favourite stories.  The collection of personal memories and connections to the texts is testimony to the variety of ways literature touches and shapes our lives.  The collection was launched during this special school assembly on Sept. 15.  The students and parents had the opportunity to watch the video and listen to each staff member's story and connection to a favourite book.  The videos evoked many emotions and clearly illustrated how valuable reading to children and making connections to literature creates a love of life-learning reading.  Guest speaker Lynn Graham, Trustee & Chairperson of the OCDSB, also spoke to the students about her favourite storybook.  The collection of books, each labelled with a staff member's name, will now be available for students to borrow and share with their families and create their own personal literature connections.  

Photo:
Lynn Graham (r) reads from one of her favourite stories to the students at Lady Evelyn School. Shelly McQuillen (l), School Librarian.