Community Relations: News

For Immediate Release
January 19, 2006

Contact:
Atalaya Sergi
Atalaya.Sergi@ccs.k12.va.us
434-245-2917

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Media Release

G.I.F.T. Literacy Project continues with grant from Bama Works Fund

The emphasis placed on literacy by the Charlottesville City School District has not only inspired new initiatives in curriculum development and implementation, but this emphasis has also become a focus of interest for students in the Generation Investing in the Future Today (G.I.F.T.) program at Walker Elementary School. The G.I.F.T. program endeavors to support the academic, social and emotional development of identified African-American females in grades 5 and 6 through the areas of academic achievement, a positive self-image, and community service. 

G.I.F.T. participant reads to Johnson Elementary studentsG.I.F.T. participant reads to Johnson Elementary students

This year G.I.F.T. participants are actively performing service learning projects focused on pre-school and early literacy.  On December 8, 2005 and January 11, 2006, G.I.F.T. members read picture books and short stories to kindergarten and 1st grade students at Johnson Elementary School.  As literacy role models, Walker 5th & 6th grade students captured the attention of the students as they read and seamlessly incorporated reading comprehension question strategies.  Following the reading, students created art reflections highlighting what they enjoyed most about the experience. Many of the Johnson students and teachers requested the G.I.F.T. ladies come back to Johnson to perform more reading activities!

In the Spring, G.I.F.T. will support the families of the Johnson Elementary School community to begin to develop home libraries as they continue to perform service learning emphasizing the importance of literacy.  This G.I.F.T. literacy project has been generously funded by the Bama Works Fund in the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation.  The Bama Works Fund in the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation awarded Mrs. Atalaya Sergi, School Counselor at Walker Upper Elementary School, and Ms. Maria J. Lewis, Coordinator of Technology Integration for Charlottesville City Schools, $5,000 in December of 2005.

For additional information, please contact:
Atalaya Sergi
434-245-2917
Atalaya.Sergi@ccs.k12.va.us