International Paper grant making a difference at the elementary school

During the “Reading Our Way into Outer Space” program at the elementary school, dozens of students are reading about space, astronomy and all things intergalactic thanks to a grant from International Paper.

The $2,164 grant purchased leveled readers and will pay for a trip to the Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci) museum in Schenectady.

The readers are for students in grades K-3 and focus on space, astronomy, Earth, planets, the moon and the solar system. The trip to miSci is planned for early June.

“I feel as though this project has been a good success for our struggling readers,” said reading teacher Emily Bornt. “We have noticed a high level of student interest and motivation in the topic of space and the solar system. Students are currently working towards completion of reading 3-5 leveled texts.”

Fifty-three students have read at least three of the newly purchased books already, she said.

The grant was written by Laura Whalen from the Capital Region BOCES Grants & Development Service.

Here are a few photos of students enjoying the new readers:

Three students reading books Two students reading books Display of books purchased with the grant Student reading book Students sitting closely and reading books Student flips though pages of a book Students buried in reading books Students check out books purchased with the granat Student delving into reading two books