Book donation inspires young readers at Petersfield Primary

The principal and academic staff at Petersfield Primary and Infant School in Westmoreland, have been working assiduously through various intervention programmes to improve the literacy levels at the school. In partnership with various stakeholders including the Joseph and Vera Douglas Foundation, the institution received over 850 books, that will complement the resources in the school’s library as well as encourage literacy and reading among the over 700 students at the school.

Dr Susan Rattray-Hammond, principal of the school, said each year during the month of September, they conduct a diagnostic assessment that includes an informal reading diagnostic inventory that gives the administration information regarding the literacy levels of the students. During their recent audit, Rattray-Hammond said 55 per cent of the students were performing below their grade level, and this percentage included children from grades 1 to 6.

“Some of them are new students at grade one, while others are returning students that learning would have lapsed during the summer break. Twenty-five percent of those assessed were reading between the Grade 1-3 level; while 20 per cent were reading between the Grade 4-9 level. However, majority were reading below the primary grade level,” Rattray-Hammond explained.

Rachel Barrett-Dolcine, founder of the Joseph and Vera Douglas Foundation, said the donation will give students access to culturally diverse stories, engaging STEM topics, and books that enhance vocabulary and reading fluency.

“The benefits of literacy last a lifetime! Children with access to books in their early years have a better chance of becoming strong readers enhancing their reading, writing and comprehension skills,” Barrett-Dolcine said.

READING PROGRAMME

According to Rattray-Hammond, the school has administered a reading programme in which students can read for recreational purposes. “Teaching reading in a formal way is not sufficient for the needs of the students, so we also support recreational reading. The more you read, there are more words in your vocabulary, that will help with your comprehension skills.”

“I have a personal collection in my office that students can borrow from. We also encourage our teachers to have a reading corner in their classroom,” she added.

Barrett-Dolcine said another 200 to 300 books will be shipped over the winter holiday. “The school will receive fiction and non-fiction books with a focus on books by and about people of colour and STEM topics. One of our goals is to provide books and literacy materials for each classroom at the school,” she said.

The Petersfield community is home to the Douglas family. The organisation’s founder, Rachel Barrett-Dolcine, a descendant of Joseph and Vera Douglas attended Petersfield Primary and Infant School. In addition to Petersfield Primary and Infant School, the school was attended by several generations of the Douglas family. The organisation’s continued support of the school is a way to honour the memory and legacy of Joseph and Vera Douglas.

The foundation officially handed over the books to the school on October 23, during a Literacy Fun Day that was held at the institution. In addition to the scheduled literacy lessons, activities included a tour of the library, literacy games, book giveaway and goodies bags.

“The donation of books will support the literacy and learning outcomes of our students, and we welcome this effort. It is significant because we have been working with the foundation for a few years now, and this continued partnership has impacted the lives of not just the students but the wider Petersfield and surrounding communities,” Rattray-Hammond said.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com