For immediate release: September 23, 2020
Good things come to those who read, and to those who sign up to read! Douglas County Libraries and the DCL Foundation awarded $500 each to four Douglas County schools that had the most sign-ups in the library’s Splash Into Summer reading program:
- Copper Mesa Elementary School, Highlands Ranch
- Ranch View Middle School, Highlands Ranch
- Castle View High School, Castle Rock
- Leman Classical Academy, Parker
According to those schools, the funds will be used for a variety of needs.
Emily Hitchingham, Library Specialist at Copper Mesa Elementary School, said their $500 award is especially appreciated because the school had to cancel its book fair fundraiser this past spring.
“We are very proud of our CME students for sharing their summer with many wonderful books! The $500 will be utilized to purchase new library books for our students to enjoy,” said Hitchingham.
The other winning schools cite similar plans for their contest awards. Leman Classical Academy will use the award to purchase books its teachers can use, according to Bridget D’Arcy, Assistant to the Principal. Ranch View Middle School Principal Erin Kyllo said their award will be used to enhance the school library with flexible seating and additional books. Likewise, Castle View High School Librarian Jordi Owens said the school will purchase books for the library, with a focus on young adult fiction, as well as books for the school’s annual Battle of the Books competition.
“In a year of tight budgets, we are thrilled to have the extra money,” Owens said.
“Summer reading was a bit different this year, but Douglas County students did not disappoint,” said DCL Special Events Coordinator Kristen Kallio. “We love partnering with the schools to engage their students and reward them for their commitment to literacy.”
DCL’s annual Summer Reading Program encourages kids to begin reading from a young age, and keeps them reading during school breaks, so they grow up with a strong foundation in literacy. The school contest component of the program is a friendly competition among Douglas County School District-affiliated schools for fundraising dollars awarded through the DCL Foundation.
The library’s reading program returns in summer 2021. Call (303) 791-7323 or visit DCL.org to learn more.
Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.
