Because of a lineman, lots of things are made possible – light, the ability to communicate electronically, different types of entertainment, and so much more.
Meanwhile, because of community partnerships, Berkeley County School District is able to join forces and get its youngest learners excited about reading – all while learning about the job of a lineman.
BCSD brought back its Literacy Powerhouse initiative for a second year to continue promoting literacy in elementary students. The goal of the program is to foster a love for reading and/or storytelling through the use of current events and to further carry a connection that already exists in many of their homes.
Oct. 15 was designated Literacy Powerhouse Reading Day, when employees from Santee Cooper and Berkeley Electric visited a few kindergarten and first grade classrooms to read the book “Because of a Lineman”, written and illustrated by Krista Conway. The visitors came to Foxbank Elementary, Moncks Corner Elementary, Berkeley Elementary and Whitesville Elementary, and BCSD Superintendent Dr. Anthony Dixon also shared the book with a couple of classes at St. Stephen Elementary.
During the guest readers’ visit, students learned about careers and jobs associated with power companies – particularly that of a lineman. Conway’s book details all the modern world benefits that comes with having electricity to power homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, factories, etc.
Linemen are very crucial to communities – particularly in this area of the state, which is prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes. Linemen work to help communities recover from storm damage and outages and are often dispatched to other areas in the country to assist. Students were able to engage with the guest readers and ask questions about electricity and everything associated with the career of a lineman.
Also, local power providers are among the largest employers in Berkeley County, with many BCSD students pursuing careers at Santee Cooper or Berkeley Electric.
BCSD’s Literacy Powerhouse initiative is not just about getting guest readers into classrooms; through grants and sponsorships, BCSD was able to purchase of hundreds of children’s books, primarily targeted for elementary-aged students. These books will be distributed at future BCSD and community events to families at no cost.
BCSD appreciates its ongoing community partnerships with Santee Cooper and Berkeley Electric Cooperative, and extends a special thanks to the companies’ employees for their participation this year.
Also, be sure to thank a lineman for all they do!
