Jamestown Students Give Providence Center School Students Gift of Reading
May 31, 2011 (Providence, RI)— Carolyn Petrocelli’s fourth-grade class at The Jamestown Melrose Avenue School ensured that the benefits of the national honor they received will be felt far beyond their own classroom.
One of just two classrooms in Rhode Island to win Scholastic Book Clubs’ “2010 Care Where You Are Sweepstakes” campaign for literacy, Ms. Petrocell’s class donated 50 of the 200 books they received to The Providence Center School. .
“This gift is special because it involves students giving to other students. We appreciate the thoughtfulness and kindness of this contribution. Our students will love reading every one of these books," said Dolly Brooks, technology coordinator at The Providence Center School.
The Providence Center School offers a unique learning environment for children in Grades Pre-K through 12 who are experiencing acute behavioral and emotional symptoms. Fully licensed by the Department of Education, the school serves children and adolescents who have been referred for special needs education by school districts throughout Rhode Island.
The Jamestown Melrose Avenue School librarian, Lisa Casey, delivered the books to The Providence Center School along with an imovie of the Jamestown students reading the book “I See, You Saw” by Nurit Karlin to the Providence Center School students.
“Our students understand that they are very fortunate. They were really happy to be able to give these books to children in need. That was the most exciting part,” said Ms. Casey.
The Providence Center is at the forefront of innovative approaches to behavioral health care designed to meet the changing needs of the more than 10,000 people served each year. Since The Providence Center opened its doors in 1969, it has been a community fixture, providing people from all walks of life with mental health and substance abuse services in their homes, schools and neighborhoods. In addition to comprehensive high quality behavioral health services, The Providence Center gives people the tools they need to change their lives. Through 39 programs and wraparound services, including food and housing, job training, legal services, primary health care and wellness activities, The Providence Center helps the people it serves to succeed.