Books and Power Pack Program
With The Jonnycake Center & Dunn's Corners School
Opening Doors was excited to collaborate with Dunn’s Corner School for the first time in June, 2018. Unlike State Street School and Springbrook School, Dunn’s Corner is not a Title I school but still has a small population of students that need our support. The question was how to distribute books to these special friends. That question was posed to school principal Steve Marrone and library media specialist Anne Marie Doyle and they found the creative solution in the Power Pack!
The Power Pack, provided by our community partner The Jonnycake Center, is a nutritious grocery bag packed with enough weekend meals for all school aged children within the family. Weekend breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided to bridge the gap for students receiving free/reduced lunch during the week. The Power Packs are added to the students backpacks on Friday.
Anne Marie selected books from the summer reading list and carefully matched each child with three books that complimented their reading skill level. The books were added to the Power Pack and distributed on Friday in time for the weekend. She noted, “It was amazing, kids already reading in the bus line. They loved their books. I can not thank you enough”.
Principal Marrone added, “The kids were ecstatic! Thank you so much and looking forward to continuing the partnership”.
Thirty-three students received books through this special collaboration. Opening Doors looks forward to continuing this rewarding partnership.