Books For Babies Project Exceeds Expectations

Submitted by Chris Clark
on April 27, 2016
- 6:43 pm

Barranca Elementary School students gather with hospital staff this morning at Los Alamos Medical Center to celebrate the student’s success in raising $622 for their ‘Books for Babies’ Service Project. Photo by Chris Clark/ladailypost.com

LAMC Chief Financial Officer Steve Winegeart congratulates students this morning on the success of their service project. Photo by Chris Clark/ladailypost.com

Staff Report

Barranca Mesa Elementary School 1st through 4th grade students set a goal of $500 for their “Books for Babies” Service Project. But through a well executed plan, the students raised $622 and this morning delivered 622 books to Los Alamos Medical Center.

Barranca’s Gifted Education teacher Dawnmarie Shipley explains that service learning projects are one of the core standards of gifted curriculum. Over the course of the second semester, students completed “Books for Babies” project much as a project manager in a large company would. They chose the project, organized the project, took accountability for the project, and this morning’s field trip to LAMC was the culminating activity in which they donated the 622 books to the hospital in a formal ceremony with LAMC officials.

During their visit, students had an opportunity to ask questions of the hospital staff in attendance and were provided a snack of fresh fruits and vegetables.

“Service learning provides a unique opportunity beyond what is regularly available in the classroom by allowing gifted students the opportunity to develop advanced problem solving skills, critical thinking skills, leadership abilities, and provides the opportunity for the students to work with professionals outside the school system in a professional setting,” Shipley said.

The intention of the “Books for Babies” Service Project is to promote early literacy in newborn babies. Last year 227 babies were born at LAMC and Shipley and her students have purchased enough books to go home with the moms of all newborns for at least two years.