Local News - December 2003

S. Ray Lowder students given new books

Holiday reading

By SARAH GRANO, Staff Writer

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Students at S. Ray Lowder received an early Christmas present to keep them occupied during winter vacation.

Each student at the school now has a new book given to them by the staff of Lincoln Medical Center (LMC).

 “I’m going to Atlanta, and on the way, I’m going to read it,” said Maria Monge, a fifth grade student who received the book “George Washington’s Socks.”

 Her classmate Janae Moore also planned on reading her new book over the break.

“It’s an exciting book, and it gets me away from my sisters,” she said.

Students at the school had an introduction to their new books when LMC staff read to their classes.

Linda Vance, director of health information services at LMC, read several chapters to a fifth grade class.

“The book was interesting,” Vance said. “Now, I want to go home and read it.”

Many students felt the same way. Some students stared off into space as they listened to the story unfold. Others picked up their own copies of the book and read along. At the funny parts of the book the class burst into giggles.

Kristen Sledzewski, who works in LMC’s radiology department, told the students that she expected them to read their new books over the break.

“I’m going to come back after the holiday to see if they read,” Sledzewski said.

“They’re going to be surprised when I pop in after the holidays.”

LMC spent $1,800 on brand new books for the students. Teachers at the school selected age appropriate titles for each grade.

“It’s huge for us,” said Chip Cathey, an assistant principal at S. Ray Lowder. “Lincoln Medical Center does so much throughout the year to respond to any needs we have.”

The donation offers a chance for less fortunate students to own their own books. It also gives books to those whose parents choose to buy them other gifts at Christmas.

Students brought home classics such as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and more recently published books like “If You Take a Mouse to the Movies.”

The volunteers who read to the classes had personally bought books for students. Radiology technicians, directors of marketing and the hospital’s CEO, Pete Acker, all made appearances at the school.

“We enjoy doing it. We have a good relationship with the school,” said Vance, a mother of four.

“I know how much it means to have people come in and support the classrooms.”

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Staff Writer Sarah Grano can be reached at 704-735-3031 or sgrano@ltnews.com

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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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