Students Access Culturally Relevant Books through DHHS's Chapter of Project LIT

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When you Rally for the Red Devils, your donation puts wonderfully provocative books in the hands of students.

 

The Druid Hills Education Foundation will fund $20,000 in teacher grants through the Druid Hills PTO this year. Teachers apply for funding to support all sorts of projects that benefit students – from classroom supplies to field trip transportation to printing costs for the school’s student newspaper, The Spotlight.

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DHHS Media Specialist Zoe Rascoe started a Project LIT chapter at DHHS with a grant from the Druid Hills PTO, and as a result our students are reading thought-provoking books like Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah.

 

She wrote in her grant application: 

I started a Project LIT chapter at DHHS in order to increase access to high-quality, culturally sustaining books that affirm and value all students, as well as championing young people and books that reflect their lived realities, communities, and identities. 

 

We checked in with Ms. Rascoe on Project LIT, and here’s what she said: 

I tell [students], "these are the books some states think are controversial and have been removed from classrooms and libraries," and that always piques their interest. The books are available for students to borrow at any time. As I can only buy one or two copies of a book with my Media Center budget, often popular books will be checked out. I always redirect students to the Project LIT shelves.

 

Ms. Rascoe said the most popular titles are:

• The 57 Bus, by Dashka Slater

• Long Way Down (graphic novel), by Jason Reynolds

• You Should See Me in a Crown, by Leah Johnson

• They Both Die at the End, by Adam Silvera

• Superman Smashes the Klan (graphic novel), by Gene Luen Yang

• Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah

 

Ms. Rascoe added that she is excited that the media center is getting a full-time Library Media Assistant and, with this new hire, Ms. Rascoe will be able to offer more programming and do even more to keep our kids reading, thinking, and growing through the written word. 

 

Your donation to the Druid Hills Education Foundation will help keep teacher grants like Ms. Rascoe’s funded. The PTO also supports funding for important events like Hospitality and Teacher Appreciation, IB Teacher Training, and the Prom! 

 

Stay tuned for more stories about the impact of your donations to support DHHS academics, arts and athletics!