By JOYANNA LOVE Senior Staff Senior

Clanton Elementary students in Robin Thompson and Sharon Lightsey’s second-grade class will have new opportunities to increase reading skills thanks to a Partners Enhancing Education in Chilton County grant.

Thompson and Lightsey applied for the grant “to purchase more grade leveled books for our classroom library.” “We were so excited to receive $940 for the purchasing of new books! We will be purchasing new nonfiction and fiction books in various grade levels to expand our library,” Thompson and Lightsey said in a joint email. Thompson and Lightsey commented that good reading skills will help students be successful throughout their lives.

“Even in our technology driven society, children who read written text better, perform better in school and have a more active imagination, therefore leading them to have more opportunities to succeed,” the teachers said. “While online books are becoming more and more popular, there will always be something special about turning the pages of a book while holding it in your hand.

The grant was one of three awarded to Clanton Elementary School. The total funds awarded was $3,440. Other grants included $1,000 for technology for the preschool program and $1,500for equipment for the sensory room for special education students.