Literature for Lunch Lives on at BCS

To the Editor:

I am delighted to report to you on the results of our first year of giving.
A year ago November, long-time Bethany resident and volunteer, Deidre Caproni passed away at 84 years of age in Southern California. To honor her rich legacy of 25-plus years of reading to Bethany school children and the creation of “Literature for Lunch,” her sons (BCS alumni) established a memorial fund in conjunction with school leadership and the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven (CFGNH).
To date, over 30 contributions have been received totaling $5,600 with $1,600 granted. The fund has an endowment goal of $10,000.
The first grant was made on Feb. 18, 2011 at a dedication ceremony in the School Library attended by members of Capronis’ family, Sharon Cappetta and Linda Estacion from CFGNH and was hosted by Rob Spino, Sara Monaco and Nicole Kevorkian. The grant monies were used by staff for four major projects:
1.    Purchase 40 books of art and construct a bookshelf for a new art library
2.    Underwrite 50 percent of the cost of books for the 2012 Annual Nutmeg Reading Challenge.
3.    Re-establish the “Literature for Lunch” reading program under the guidance of Linda Saffran, community liason and assistant librarian.
4.    Purchase of four books that complete the 15 book classic literature collection started by DS Caproni in the BCS main library.
By the Numbers: Art Teacher, Nicole Kevorkian reports, “I would be happy to share how the funds that have already been turned into valuable resources in my classroom have had many positive effects on student learning.”
“With our new resource of art-related children’s books, students are given the opportunity to experience an artist or culture through a captivating story before they begin creating their own artwork. “Philippe in Monet’s Garden,” by Lisa Jobe Carmack, is just one of my new resources. This story follows the character Philippe (a frog) through the Giverny Garden in France where Monet painted his beautiful water lilies. After reading the story students are motivated to create their own water lily work of art in the style of Claude Monet. This is just one example of how literature can be used to draw students into art history in a playful and fun way. After experiencing factual art history information through this piece of literature, students are able to reference the Giverny Garden as well as stylistic characteristics of Monet’s work. Creating a link between literature and art has  given our students such a rich understanding for art history and unique artistic styles and cultures. My classroom door is open for anyone who would like to observe an art lesson, and see how connections between literature and art are being made because of their gracious donations. I hope that the art library continues to grow with new literature to enhance student experience in the art room. Art is about personal experience and inspiration. The stories in my new library are treasures. They are inspiring in a way that makes students want to make a connection between each artist’s life and their work, which in turn makes them have a more personal connection with their own art work.”
“Thank you so much for all that has been given already.”

Linda Safran reports that “We had 12 students participate in the “Literature for Lunch” program during the months of January thru March 2011.
The current total of Nutmeg readers for the 2011-2012 year is 80 students and the total Nutmeg books read by those students is 430!”
 
To those who gave in memory of our mother, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. To those who wish to give you may make a contribution to the DSC Memorial Fund for the Advancement of Literature & the Arts, one of two ways; donate on-line @ www.cfgnh.org select “Donate online”, select fund name, type CAPRONI in the search box or mail your contribution (made out to “The Community Foundation” note DS Caproni fund on memo line) to The Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, 70 Audubon Street, Fl 5, New Haven, CT 06510. Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
We wish you and your family all the blessings and joy of the Holiday season.
With peace and love,
Christopher and Marc Caproni