Pupils of Oklahoma Street Primary School in Macassar will expand their knowledge and vocabulary thanks to a generous donation of 300 DistrictMail newspapers by Central Mini Market.
The donation, handed over on Monday 23 May, forms part of DistrictMail’s Let’s Get Reading project.
“It’s heartwarming to know that businesses still keep community schools in mind, we deeply appreciate this donation,” said principal Patrick Beukes, who added the newspapers will be used improve pupils’ language and literacy skills.
“We will not only be using these newspapers in the language classes, but in the maths classes, as well. The pupils will also be able to broaden their vocabularies through the exercises their teachers will do with them.”
Cammy-Leigh Jantjies, the school’s deputy head girl, was very excited about the donation of newspapers they received on Monday. “Thank you very much to Central Mini Market. I am certainly going to enjoy reading the newspaper,” she said.
“I love reading; it’s one of my favourite things to do and now I’ll know more about what is happening in my immediate surroundings.”
Central Mini Market owner Miguel Gathino said: “Through this donation we are improving our community and providing the children with something to read. We’re always happy to help.”
The donation of reading material also ties in well with the school’s future plans.
Dexter Fischer, deputy principal, said they are planning to launch the “Drop everything and read” project at the school in the near future.
“It basically means that for the last half of the last period on a Friday, pupils will all have to read and write before they can go home,” Fischer explained.
Local businesses and individuals are invited to support the Let’s get Reading/Kom ons Lees initiative by donating newspapers to a Helderberg school of their choice, at a discounted rate.
For more on the project, phone DistrictMail circulation clerk Noel Roelfze on 021 853 0211.
