Students at Rowland and Adrian Elementary Schools are enjoying reading new books thanks to the efforts of retired Adrian Library Resource teacher, Cathy Stang, SEL Schools Social Worker, Shannon Carlson, and Rev. Jan Fillmore from Mayfield United Methodist Church. Their collaboration helped Rowland and Adrian students receive over $9,000 in books donated by First Book, a non-profit social enterprise. Before retiring at the end of the 2020-21 school year, Ms. Stang displayed her passion for promoting literacy and helping students learn by writing grants to obtain over 50,000 donated books valued at over $5000,000! Ms. Stang is currently a staff member at the Lyndhurst Childhood Enrichment Center and was contacted by Shannon Carlson about assisting with writing a grant to receive book donations through First Book for the 2021-22 school year. Elizabeth Burton, Director of the Lyndhurst Childhood Enrichment Center and Brush alum graciously gave Ms. Stang the opportunity to take time off and help with the grant-writing efforts.
As a long-time community partner of the SEL Schools, Mayfield United Methodist Church has engaged in various initiatives to help support SEL students and staff. Pastor Fillmore helped to organize a Holy Donut Day fundraiser at the church which featured delicious donuts from Patterson Fruit Farm. All donations collected were used to pay for postage for the donated books which were then organized and distributed by Ms. Stang to Rowland and Adrian students. The students were excited to receive the new books and look forward to reading them every day. The SEL Schools would like to thank Cathy Stang, Shannon Carlson, and Rev. Jan Fillmore for their dedicated efforts in helping our students embrace the gift of reading!