Philanthropy group donates more than 1,000 books to TPS students

A few of the books that were donated to 33 second-grade classrooms at 19 TPS schools by Women & Philanthropy and the University of Toledo’s Judith Herb College of Education. The idea for the book donation originated with Emily Plummer Chicolini, a third-grade teacher at Martin Luther King, Jr., Elementary School.

The Blade/Amy E. Voigt
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Damon Murdock, a 7-year-old Old Orchard student, scanned the table of new books before picking up the one he found most intriguing: My Little Book of Animals.

“I like to watch Nat Geo Wild,” Damon said.

First grader Damon Murdock, 7, who proudly states that he reads at a second grade level, looks at donated books with Superintendent Romules Durant at Old Orchard Elementary School.

Students like Damon will have access to a variety of new books

Thanks to Women & Philanthropy and the University of Toledo’s Judith Herb College of Education, there will be more than 1,000 new textbooks in Toledo Public Schools’ second-grade classrooms. The books were distributed to 33 second-grade classrooms at 19 TPS schools.

The books were presented to a representative from each school Thursday morning at Old Orchard Elementary School.

Superintendent Romules Durant said he was “incredibly grateful” that both organizations chose to support TPS.

“Reading is indicative of a school’s success,” he said. “It’s the fundamental aspect of what they do in every course.”

The idea for the book donation originated with Emily Plummer Chicolini, a third-grade teacher at Martin Luther King, Jr., Elementary School. She said she was inspired when she created a small library in her own classroom, and saw how enthused her students were about having new books.

“I was able to see how important literacy is.”

“We have books that connect to the science curriculum, the social studies curriculum, also we’re really paying attention to making sure that we had books that represent a wide diversity of people in them,” said Jenny Denyer, a UT associate professor of literacy and teacher education.

Women & Philanthropy members said they will continue to raise funds this year with the goal of donating books to the remainder of the TPS second-grade classrooms.

Contact Javonte Anderson at janderson@theblade.com, 419-724-6065, or on Twitter @JavonteA.