One Decatur science and math teacher doesn't want students to quit reading and learning over the summer months, and she has come up with a plan: Set up and operate a mobile library in Decatur.
Jacque Smith and her two daughters drove around town earlier this month in a red pickup truck bearing a big sign on the back which said: Summer Library text@MRSJSH to 321-280-6452.
Fast Facts
For more information on the Decatur summer library, email [email protected] or text the message code @mrsjsh to 321-280-6452.
Smith acquired the use of the farm truck from her parents, and she obtained the many trays of books she carries in the truck through book donations, leftover teacher supply funds, the Decatur Parent-Teacher Organization, Decatur State Bank and from the annual book fair.
"Each teacher gets $500 to purchase classroom supplies, and we used leftover money to buy books from the book fair," she said, adding that she also received help and donations from other teachers.
Smith volunteers her time, along with that of her daughter helpers, to make scheduled stops in Decatur each Friday, as well as stops along the way for parents and children who call, text or flag her down.
When she stops, she lets children look through trays of books, categorized by subject and reading levels, and check them out with a family library card she issues. Then, when she comes back the next week, the children can turn in their books and check out new ones.
Scheduled stops each week for those who wish to meet the mobile library and check out books are 9 a.m. at Grant and Austin Avenues; 10 a.m. at Decatur High School; and 11 a.m. at Lake View Apartments. Of course, Smith will stop along her route or elsewhere if asked to do so by parents or students who send her a text.
Recently, she was flagged down so students could check out books between her first and second stops. And three children were waiting to get books when she arrived in the parking lot in front of the high school.
Smith said she plans to operate the mobile library on Fridays through Aug. 1. And, she hopes, through her efforts, a good number of Decatur students will return to school in August with improved reading skills and expanded knowledge.
NAN Life on 06/18/2014