School receives reading benches as part of project
Posted 11/7/19
By Derrick Forsythe Record Staff Writer In an effort to promote literacy and make strides toward the rank of Eagle Scout, Matt Wolf decided to embark on a unique project for a family friend. On …
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School receives reading benches as part of project
Posted
By Derrick ForsytheRecord Staff WriterIn an effort to promote literacy and make strides toward the rank of Eagle Scout, Matt Wolf decided to embark on a unique project for a family friend.On Tuesday, Dec. 8, he presented the finished product to Shari Leppanen’s kindergarten class at Rebecca Boone Elementary. Wolf donated eight reading benches to the school, each equipped with over 100 books in an open shelving area underneath the seating platforms.“This was a very nice surprise,” said Leppanen, who had collaborated with Wolf on what type of project would best benefit the school.“He came to me and asked if he could do a project for our school,” said Leppanen. “We started brainstorming things that we needed. Our building smart goal is to increase literacy, so this was a perfect idea.”Wolf says he began working up the prototype for the project in July and had to get approval before moving forward with the construction about a month ago.“I oversaw the process and had help from several other scouts with the building and painting,” explained Wolf, who is a member of Boy Scout Troop 873 of Dardenne Prairie. “I wanted to do something that would benefit the kids and their education.”While Wolf is a junior at St. Dominic in his hometown of O’Fallon, he felt the need to donate to a less recognized region when it comes to Eagle Scout projects.“The kids love the reading benches,” said Leppanen. “Now instead of sitting on the floor during reading or instruction time, they are excited about being able to sit on the benches.”The initial plan was to create eight benches, with two being distributed to each of the kindergarten classes. When enrollment numbers dropped the classroom count from four to three in August, Wolf vowed to move forward with the construction of eight benches. The additional two benches have been placed in the lobby area of the school for use by students in all grade levels.“If we’re going to master our literacy building and kindergarten smart goals, the students have to be excited and love reading,” said Leppanen. “We want to spread that love for reading beyond the kindergarten class and throughout the entire school.”
Matt Wolf, a member of Boy Scout Troop 873, reads with kindergarten students on the benches he recently donated to Rebecca Boone Elementary School as part of his Eagle Scout project. Derrick Forsythe photo.
