The collaboration between our district and the community to enhance the learning experience of our students is invaluable. Recently, our youngest students had the chance to learn about their community in a field trip that took them to a community resource all are welcome to that is just down the road.
Over a two week period in March, every student at Scotchtown Avenue School visited the Goshen Public Library. “We wanted to introduce the kids to as many aspects of the public library as we possibly could,” Scotchtown Avenue School’s Librarian Amy Gargiulo said about the trip. “We wanted the kids to know that the public library is here for them and their families. Many of our students don’t live anywhere near the public library, so we figured out logistics, and brought them here!”
Amy felt that making a connection between the school library and public library for students was important. “I speak about the Goshen Public Library often in my library classes. I wanted to make this field trip happen so that my students know the place I am talking about.”
When Amy reached out to the Head of Children’s Programming and Community Outreach at the Goshen Public Library Amber Kirkwood, a community collaboration was born and the two planned a trip. Four stations were created for students to explore during their visit: two areas dedicated to art that featured drawing and making crafts, a tour of the library, and a game of bingo. “There’s a lot to offer here at the library besides research resources,” Kirkwood said. “There’s a social aspect and organizational aspect as well.”
“For some of our students, and teachers, this was the first time they had been to the Goshen Public Library. My hope is that it’s not their last,” Gargiulo added.
Amber is happy to report that Goshen students have been returning to the library since their visit, and she encourages all Goshen community members to come to the library. “We have a lot of programming and it’s a good way to meet other people, too,” Kirkwood said.