Calais Students in the school’s 12 Plus Program are making the lives of students at a Newark charter school a little brighter with the gift of reading.

On January 21, students in the 12 Plus Program visited the North Star Academy to donate 400 books from the Calais School library.

This past fall, students worked to relocate the school library. During the process, they came across numerous books that Calais no longer needed. Ms. Lisa Marie Vallo, the school’s work-based learning coordinator, suggested that the students donate the books to North Star Academy. The students spent several weeks sorting the books by reading level and packaging them in boxes for the donation.

Upon arriving at the charter school, Calais students were greeted with enthusiasm and gratitude from the North Star faculty. The Calais students and North Star teachers worked together to unload the books from the bus. Even with the frigid weather, the students felt warm inside, knowing that they had made a difference in their community.

“This donation helped our 12 Plus students understand the obligations and responsibilities of being a member of the community and ways they can contribute to the betterment of others in their community,” Ms. Vallo said.

“Although this was a collaborative effort by the WBL coordinator, the transition teacher and paraprofessionals, this was student-centered activity in which 400 books were organized, sorted, packaged and delivered.”

The Calais School provides a nurturing environment in which students receive the support they need to thrive and gain self-confidence. Students also learn empathy and the importance of community service, to make a difference in the lives of others in their community.

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