An independent, college preparatory, co-ed, Episcopal Day School serves a community of students in grades 6-12.
Issue link: http://palmertrinityschool.uberflip.com/i/154161
PERMELLO S. 'S M READING ROOM By Darlene Bell-Alexander, PTS Parent I was moved to action when I returned to reopen my law practice in my neighborhood and realized students and parents were struggling to find assistance and answers to academic issues and problems. I recalled a dream that my mother expressed when I was younger as she and my father worked hard to build the family business. She envisioned providing a place of learning for the community that would serve the many residents. Recognizing the need and with remnants of my mother's dream, I stepped out on faith with encouragement from my family and friends, to create Ms. Permello's Reading Room. Ms. Permello's Reading Room, the first initiative of The Center of Knowledge and Learning, Inc. (CKL), a nonprofit organization, was created to serve as a quaint place to advance education by providing programs that promote education, learning and empowerment in African-American communities. The lack of resources close to the homes of students and parents prompted me to locate the Reading Room right in my neighborhood of West Perrine. Named after my paternal grandmother who cared for children in the community, the Reading Room is located adjacent to my 18 Darlene Bell-Alexander (PTS parents), and Jonathan Alexander family's business, Short Stop Properties, Inc. I had no doubt the residents would immediately view the Reading Room as a much needed academic resource in the community. Our family is an integral part of this community, and has been for many years not only as residents but as a business committed to the community. I believe we have the unique ability to have an even greater impact on families because we are familiar faces. Since the Reading Room opened in December of 2007, the Reading Room has received over 10,000 donated books, many of which fill the bookshelves hand-crafted by my husband, Audwin. Visitors carefully choose books while walking over floors installed by my two oldest sons, Johnathan, a PTS senior and Dwight, a student in Miami Coral Park's Engineering magnet program. Books can be checked out or enjoyed at the Reading Room. Parents and students tell me that the personal service that is offered to students in the small group tutoring sessions are what makes the sessions more effective and helpful. Many view the added community academic resource as a blessing. During the last school year, parents and community residents Girl Scouts searching for a great read