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Drive-up drive collects almost 3,000 pounds of food
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MAY 27, 2020
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Maggie Brown teacher organizes book donations BY LAUREL HUSTER laurel@newnan.com
W
hen Cassie Mitchell started teaching at Maggie Brown Middle School in October 2019, she realized something the students were lacking – books. Mitchell said Maggie Brown, which functions as the Coweta County School System’s alternative middle school, doesn’t have a library. She said literacy is one of her passions, and she felt like she needed to do something to get books for the students. Mitchell, who teaches math remediation to the students at Maggie Brown, taught elementary school in the Coweta County School System for over 17 years. “I think it is a great project that she has put together,” Maggie Brown principal, Ahmand Tinker, said. “We
don’t have a library, so our students don’t have access to books that other students might have at base schools.” “Our students deserve the same opportunities as a traditional middle school,” Tinker added. Tinker has guest speakers come to the school every Friday to help encourage the students. Rob Brass, Southwest Metro Director for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was one of those speakers. Mitchell said she was talking to Brass about her idea for getting books to the students, and he wanted to help. Brass put Mitchell in touch with his mother, Linda Brass, who is on the board of the Ferst Foundation and Stepping Stones. Linda said she reached out to some of her friends who are advocates for children having books. She told them Mitchell’s plan for Maggie Brown and asked if anyone wanted to help. Linda said seven women donated
money to get Mitchell the things she needed for the school. “In today’s world, everyone has a new appreciation for teachers,” Linda said. Mitchell said she received $1,500 in brand new books for the students. She was able to purchase shelves and labels to keep the books organized and set up a mini library in the hallway. “I can’t even explain how excited I was,” Mitchell said. Mitchell said one of the things she was concerned about was finding titles that students could relate to but that are still appropriate for them. She said many of the students struggle academically, but need books catered to middle school students. The Lisa Libraries program, which sends books to schools and organizations that need them, also donated 152 books to Maggie Brown. The first donation of books was supposed to be delivered March 16,
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PHOTO BY LAUREL HUSTER
Cassie Mitchell is pictured with new books donated for Maggie Brown students.
right after schools were closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mitchell said although students haven’t been able to use the books, she has had more time to organize and prepare for the fall. The books will be available for students to check out during the day. Mitchell also ordered class sets of books for teachers to use for instruc-
tion. “I am incredibly thankful for the people in our community who helped,” Mitchell said. Mitchell will be working in a different school system in the fall, but she said this is a project she intends to continue supporting even after she has moved on. “It’s really been phenomenal,” Mitchell said. “I’m just elated.”
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