Fresh New Face

Norwood School was built in 1925, but due to disrepair, the system closed the beautiful brick school in 2013. As the result of public protests, it was renovated and reopened in 2016. I was there this week photographing our STAIR of Birmingham site and fell in love with this bright orange stairwell. What a happy place to learn!

Art Is Where You Find It

My good friend and talented Birmingham photographer Larry O. Gay, posts photos on Facebook with the title "Art Is Where You Find It".  I'm always inspired by LG's great eye.  Today, the compost bin at Oliver Elementary's outdoor classroom created by Jones Valley Teaching Farm,  caught my eye on a recent visit. Loved the colors!

These Boots Were Made For Farming....

and that's just what they'll do!  Thanks to Jones Valley Teaching Farm, the student farmers at Oliver Elementary will be doing just that again this fall. Stay tuned for more student farmers!

Getting Ready

The teachers and students from two Birmingham City School, Whatley and Gibson are opening school on Monday at the just completed, brand spanking new Hayes K-8.  That's great news,  as it's a wonderful new facility. The bad news for the administrators and faculty.... they were just able to get into their rooms on Friday.  I was happy to lend a hand to help one teacher unpack her room and get ready for her 24 first graders on Monday.  Lest you think it was a sacrifice on my part, go no further,  I had a ball.  I spent a lot of time reminicing over many, many books that I loved as we unpacked. I've been promised that I can come back and read aloud as often as I want.

The mountain of empty boxes speaks for itself.  I'm sure they all put in many hours this weekend as well,  but will have their rooms welcoming for the bright shiny faces on Monday at 8:00 am!!

It Takes a Village

Recently I was fortunate to photograph the STAIR reading program at Norwood Elementary School in north Birmingham.  This delightful mural greets visitors and students as they enter the front doors of the school.  The title is , "It Takes A Village".

Birmingham Reads Day!!

As I have said many times......... I LOVE THIS "JOB"!!!  Yesterday I was asked to photograph Birmingham Reads at Whatley Elementary.  Birmingham Reads Day is sponsored by the Literacy Council, The Children's Literacy Guild, Better Basics, and the Junior League of Birmingham. On this very special day, 775 guest readers volunteered their time to read in every elementary classroom in Birmingham City Schools!  As a former elementary teacher this was right up my alley.  Today meet Birmingham Mayor William Bell who thrilled this room of eager students as their guest reader. More to come!