The Rotary board voted at the August meeting to support the Falls Elementary School library with $4,000 for books, shelves and carpet.
With the move of the fifth and sixth grades to the West End of Falls High School, Rotary members see a great need for books to support the reading habits of K-4 students, especially those reading above their grade level, and reference books for teaching certain units.
School librarian, Gigie Harder, wrote her Rotary request asking for $1,000 for books. Her budget also included lines for furnishings and carpet to quiet the room. The school board had turned down her request for funds for these items. She explained to the board that children who read above their grade level use the library materials for enrichment. Teachers use the history and geography series books for teaching units on these subjects and have in the past been able to share one set. An additional set of these materials will be purchased by Harder for the Falls Elementary Library.
Harder expressed her appreciation when a check for $4,000 was presented to her at the Aug. 14 Rotary meeting.
One of International Rotary’s areas of focus as part of the future vision funding is basic education/literacy. The local club will meet this goal with this gift and its weekly gift of a children’s book in honor of its speaker, according to Barbara Owenboerger.
