Thank you to Pete the Cat author Mr. James Dean for reading to our students! He visited with students from Austin Road Elementary, County Line Elementary, and Holsenbeck Elementary to read to them on Oct. 17, 2023.

This special guest reading came to be thanks to students Graham Mull and Collin Shaw. Mr. Dean was a guest on their podcast when they were at the Arts and Innovation Magnet Program. Now, they're students at the Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy and are helping to promote early literacy. Their interest in early literacy happened after speaking with Mr. Dean.

It's All About Early Literacy

Graham and Colin came up with the idea to create multiple Pete the Cat hand-made sculptures to generate interest in reading and early literacy. Through a grant from the Peach State Federal Credit Union CARES Foundation and the dedication of teachers Ashley Bailey, Catherine Paul, and Mitch Freeman who volunteered their time and talent, the sculptures became a reality. The Pete the Cat sculptures were given to all BCSS Elementary School Media Centers and the Barrow Literacy Partnership (BLP) donated a copy of Pete the Cat Checks Out the Library to go with each sculpture. Along with that, all BCSS Kindergarten, Pre-K, and Preschool students will receive a copy of Pete the Cat Checks Out the Library along with a weeklong library lesson plan from BLP this spring.

Mr. Dean visited the elementary schools where Graham and Colin attended and the ARES students came to BASA because that's where Mr. Freeman teaches and Graham and Colin attend. A video below capturing the readings will be shared with BCSS Pre-K and Kindergarten students in their classrooms to read along with Mr. Dean.

Special thank you to:

• Mr. James Dean
• Graham and Colin
• Mitch Freeman, Ashley Bailey, Catherine Paul, Gretchen Hollingsworth
• Peach State Federal Credit Union
• Barrow Literacy Partnership
• Piedmont Regional Library System
• Mr. Jakson Hensley for his amazing video production of the events