If you give Meadow Lane pupils their own books ... and cupcakes
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 22, 2009 1:50 AM
Students at Meadow Lane Elementary School were treated to an ideal afternoon Thursday -- face-painting, coloring and cupcakes.
It was all part of a service project by the "Wayne Community College Leadership Development Group," a component of the honors program. A team of college students visited five first-grade classes and five multi-age to promote reading and education.
The group first procured an autographed copy of the popular children's book, "If You Give a Cat a Cupcake" by Laura Numeroff, which they framed and presented to the school during an assembly.
Carol Barre, a representative from Firstbook.com, also traveled in from New Hanover County to deliver 240 books that were distributed to the children to take home.
"We got in contact with an organization that Laura loves to contribute to, Firstbook, that gives books to Title I schools," said Holly Egans, a member of the WCC leadership class.
Classes then dispersed to their homerooms, where the fun continued.
WCC students read from "If You Give a Cat a Cupcake," continuing the theme by providing coloring pages and painting cat whiskers on the children's faces, before sharing cupcake snacks.
Students also received bookmarks to take home.
This is the second year for the leadership class, Mrs. Egans said.
It was not only a valuable experience for the college students -- polishing public speaking skills as well as working hands-on with groups of children -- but was also beneficial for youngsters at Meadow Lane.
"We hope that in treating the students to this fun day, we will also be able to reinforce to them the vital importance of being dedicated to reading and education," team member Jordan Anders said.