SPARK and BookConnect Enrich Prince William Students

from Prince William Living July 2021

Doug’s Deli: A Newcomer to Historic Downtown Manassas

lifelong learning

SPARK and BookConnect Enrich Prince William Students

by Rena Malai

What if there was a way to teach all the important things in life that are sometimes just not part of regular schooling? Life skills — like self-care, self-regulation, social/emotional intelligence, resilience, understanding diversity and inclusion — are often picked up outside of the classroom, if at all. It’s not always part of a school curriculum like geometry, history and science.

Radhika Bajaj, Founder of Bookworm Central in Manassas, says teachers need innovative programs to support the progress of their students. Bookworm Central’s program — BookConnect — does just that. By using books and including accompanying activities, the BookConnect program brings Prince William students the opportunity for quiet self-reflection and mindful group dialogue, so they can develop deeper connections with themselves, their community and the world around them.

“Books were my first love,” Bajaj says. “I grew up on stories and till this day draw upon them to approach and tackle different situations in life.”

The Supporting Partnerships and Resources for Kids, or SPARK, initiative is part of the Education Foundation for Prince William County Public Schools. SPARK impacts collaborations and brings Bookworm Central’s BookConnect program into Prince William classrooms to enrich the lives of its students.

SPARK Executive Director Dawn S. Davis says the BookConnect program speaks to a need that is critical in these times. The program is designed to be an invaluable tool for teachers and students alike.

“Diversity and inclusion are important topics, especially now,” Davis says. “Whether it’s a school division or a community at large, it’s crucial to engage both students and teachers with resources that enhance their understanding and appreciation for topics like diversity, equity and inclusion.”

All the key topics offered through the BookConnect program foster personal and community well-being, says Bajaj.

“By introducing BookConnect into the classroom, teachers can encourage children to contemplate about significant issues in a nurturing and collaborative environment,” Bajaj says. “The introduction of such a program in a PWCS classroom provides students the resources, space and freedom to explore relevant topics and their feelings about it.” The program is uniquely created to engage students at all grade-levels. Bookworm Central offers the program for children ages 0 to 18. It is broken up into six segments — two levels for the early years and four levels for grades K-12. Depending on the topic of interest, the program and its resources are customized to match the priorities provided by a school.

BookConnect is designed to provide students with a literary experience that enhances awareness, understanding and engagement about significant topics.

“The goal is to apply books and stories in the building of strong, learning and thinking communities,” she says.

To learn more about BookConnect or review all the programs provided, visit bookwormcentral.com. To learn more about SPARK, visit poweredbyspark.org. If you would like more information on how to join BookConnect as a student or how to implement the program within your school through SPARK, email info@bookwormcentral.com.

Rena Malai is a freelance writer. She has covered a variety of topics ranging from national news, to food and technology. She lives in Prince William and is a native Washingtonian.