Gifted Education teacher Dawnmarie Shipley and her 1st through 4th grade students at Barranca Mesa Elementary School have launched the ‘Books for Babies’ Service Project. Courtesy photo
“Books for Babies” is a community service project underway by Gifted Education teacher Dawnmarie Shipley and her 1st through 4th grade students at Barranca Mesa Elementary School.
The intention is to promote early literacy in newborn babies. Shipley and her students are working hard to raise $500 so that they can buy new books to donate to Los Alamos Medical Center to ensure every newborn can go home with a new book for their mom to read to them.
Students are tracking their goal for the ‘Books for Babies’ Service Project. Courtesy photo
Last year 227 babies were born at LAMC. If Shipley and her students reach their goal, they may be able to purchase enough books for all the newborns for at least two years.
“The students are super excited about this project,” Shipley said. “They plan to purchase the books through the Scholastic Book Club and donate them to the hospital during a field trip at the end of the school year. I am so proud of their thoughtfulness and dedication to our community.”
Shipley’s students explain why they believe it’s important to support the “Books for Babies” project:
- “It’s important to donate your change so the baby learns to listen and think about what they are hearing,” Tiffany
- “It’s good because books can give babies imagination,” Annie
- “Maybe the baby will be smarter when it’s time to go to school,” Brendan
- “Giving helps promote kindness,” Andrew
- “Maybe the baby will grow up and be a teacher and do books for babies with their class,” Christy
A classroom contest is underway and runs through the beginning of spring break – the class collecting the most change for the “Books for Babies” project will win a pizza party.
Look for donation cartons for the “Books for Babies” project at local businesses soon. Anyone interested in placing a carton at their business should contact Shipley at d.shipley@laschools.net.
Donations may be placed in a carton at businesses around town or sent to Barranca Mesa Elementary C/O Books for Babies, 57 Loma del Escolar, Los Alamos, NM 87544.
