Students help rebuild a school library in Mississippi

Seventh-graders at the A.D. Oliver Middle School are starting a community service project to help a school in Mississippi restock their library. The library in the Baywaveland Middle School in Mississippi was destroyed with the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina.

All the books in the library were lost. Since there was about five feet of standing water combined with the hot weather conditions, the school needed to be emptied because of mold spores. Approximately 85 percent of their student population and 70 percent of their teachers are living in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trailers. Teacher Kelly Kenney said once students heard of the plight, they raised their hands with ideas of how they could help out. "They wanted to help in any way they could," she said.

Student wrote down ideas and submitted them to teachers. They will create posters, make announcements, catalog and ship the books. Large drop boxes will be decorated and placed around the building. Seventh-grader Jessica Langford came up with the idea of having students speak about the project during lunch periods and she plans on telling her family about the project. She wishes someone from one of the home makeover shows like the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition could help out.

Books that are in good condition and at a sixth to eighth grade reading level can dropped off at the A.D. Oliver Middle School, 40 Allen Street. Books will be collected through March 17. Contact Kelly Kenney with questions at 637-1860, ext. 6000 or kkenney@bcsl.org.

February 19, 2006