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International Book Project proposes 'Books as Bridges' pilot at Southside after‑school site
Summary
An International Book Project representative described a free, grant‑funded cultural exchange program that pairs Woodford County students with international partner classrooms; the group requested to pilot the program at Southside Elementary’s after‑school site and expand if successful.
Rachel Ray of the International Book Project told the board that the nonprofit, based in Lexington, offers a free cultural‑exchange curriculum called Books as Bridges. The program pairs local classrooms with international partners to exchange at least three letters and a cultural package during the year; the organization provides teaching support and ships books to partner schools when international postage is required.
Ray said the program is free for participating schools because it is grant funded; she described recent shipments (a 40‑foot container to Ethiopia with roughly 30,000 books) and said the program supplies partner classrooms with books when needed. She asked to pilot Books as Bridges in Jamie Fisher’s after‑school program at Southside, then expand to other after‑school sites depending on results.
Board members asked procedural questions about how letters are handled and whether translations are needed; Ray said partner classrooms are in English‑speaking contexts for the district’s initial partners, that the nonprofit previews letters for appropriateness, and that the local classroom would not be charged to participate. The board expressed support for piloting the program and asked administrators to work with the after‑school director to evaluate and report back.
No motion or formal vote was required for the presentation; the board thanked the presenters and invited questions.
