TARGET CORPORATION HELPS MITCHELL SCHOOL BUILD ITS LIBRARY COLLECTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2010

For more information contact
Valerie Terando
Ames Community Schools
515.268.6651
valerie.terando@ames.k12.ia.us

AMES—Students at Mitchell School will soon have a larger selections of books from which to choose when they visit their school’s media center.  Mitchell qualified for two gifts from the Target Corporation; one will be used for books for the school’s media center, and the other gift has funded the purchase of five digital cameras, along with some additional books.

The timing of the gift couldn’t be better.  State and federal education initiatives continue to place greater emphasis on reading, literacy, and technology. Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, the District elementary school schedule changed to provide students with more uninterrupted reading time.  Referred to as “literacy blocks,” the schedule allocates a minimum of 90 minutes each school day for reading and other language arts lessons.

October 1, Ames Target store manager Scott Sitzman will visit Mitchell to deliver books.  According to Mitchell’s Media Specialist, Jonie Fitzsimmons, “Mr. Sitzman will be opening two huge boxes of books that the (Target) company has donated to our school library.  He’ll also be speaking with students about his plan to bring visitors to Mitchell, each with a different career, to talk about how reading has changed their lives.” Fitzsimmons said earlier this school year, students met and developed a list of professionals they’re hoping will visit Mitchell.

The school’s principal, Pam Stangeland, says Mitchell students and staff are very excited to receive the books and the cameras, and credits Fitzsimmons for her efforts in obtaining the gifts, “Our media specialist, Jonie Fitzsimmons, has been instrumental in seeking and securing opportunities including these Target gifts to enhance our general collection and provide additional resources for our students. She has a "never give up" attitude, and her tenacity has resulted in author visits, guest speakers, and global connections for our Mitchell students.  We are extremely grateful for the partnership with Target."

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