SPES wins $5,000 award for library

  • Published
  • By David Ruderman
  • DoDDS-E Public Affairs Office
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, GERMANY --  Department of Defense Dependents Schools-Europe's Spangdahlem Elementary School was awarded a $5,000 grant by the Laura Bush Foundation for America's libraries. Spangdahlem is one of 263 schools to benefit from $1.28 million in support from the foundation, and the only school outside the geographic boundaries of United States to be so awarded. 

The funds will be used to purchase new print encyclopedias, to reinforce areas of the collection that need strengthening, and to replace much loved favorites that have aged with constant use, said school officials. 

"I am so happy that we can spend some money updating the materials we use on a daily basis, and giving the children books that look, feel and smell new," said school information specialist Janice McIntosh. "Nothing in the whole world is better than a new book." 

The award resulted from a parent-teacher initiative, said Principal Barbara Laffoley. 

"The process was initiated by Mrs. Rene Hohls, a Parent-Teacher-Student Association volunteer and SES parent. She and Ms. McIntosh completed an extensive application package that included the number of students, number of books for the school and how much money had been spent this year and in the past for books. Plus collection age data, circulation statistics and narratives that were backed with data." 

The application process and its technicalities were challenging, according to Mrs. Hohls, but she and Ms. McIntosh persisted in pursuing the award for the benefit of the library. 

"Rather than throw up our hands and say, 'Oh well,' we decided to try to do something about it. The requirements of the Laura Bush Foundation grant specify that any award must be used for the purchase of books and that is exactly what our school library needed," Mrs. Hohls said. 

"Aging favorites such as Dr. Seuss, Clifford the Big Red Dog and the Magic School Bus are [loved] by our students and [need] to be replaced. Our library needs current books covering subjects such as Native Americans, colonial America, African-American studies, and recent history. Our library is also in need of books covering statehood and individual state history," said Mrs. Hohls. "Military history books, specifically WWII books, are very popular with our students and we have only a few on hand. Subjects such as world culture, geography and global development are also of special interest, as our students often have a more global approach to their understanding and education, given their mobile lifestyle." 

Mrs. Hohls gave additional insight to Ms. McIntosh as to what it is like to be a military child living overseas and how important it is to have up-to-date materials to read and use. 

"I have the best job in the school," Ms. McIntosh said. "Buying, reading and introducing children to literature and research." 

The students appear to be just as excited about the possibility of new books. 

"I think it is good that we will get some new books," said third-grader Rebecca Hathaway. "I hope Ms. McIntosh buys some new Goosebumps, Andrew Lost, and Magic Tree House books." 

Principal Laffoley said parent-educator partnerships make a difference for children and that this is an example of a partnership between a parent and an educator that resulted in a substantial amount of money being granted to the school. 

"I can't say enough about the selfless dedication of everyone involved."