In Reading Rooms, Recent Press on 04/10/2025 - 9:07 AM
First Reading Room in Manatee County!
Ballard Elementary School in Bradenton, FL is the first school to establish a THINK BIG Reading Room in Manatee County! There were 2 opening ceremonies: one in the morning with approximately 50 community leaders and dignitaries, including Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown and Vice Mayor Marianne Barnebey; Pastor Sam and Mrs Sonia Rivera, whose church provides after school programs for the students; Superintendent, Dr. Jason Wysong, and Mark Miller. An afternoon program celebration included the teachers and students. “The sky is the limit” is the thought-uplifting theme for this book haven.
The high-ceiling, skylighted library of Ballard Elementary in Bradenton, FL encouraged visitors to not only lift up their eyes, but to lift up their thoughts as well, making it the perfect venue for a program to introduce another Ben Carson THINK BIG reading room! Those in attendance numbered approximately 50 community officials and leaders and included Mayor Gene Brown, Vice Mayor Marianne Barnebey, Superintendent Dr. Jason Wysong and Pastor Sam and Mrs. Sonia Rivera of the nearby Bayside Community Church’s Dream Center which provides an after-school program for Ballard (and Rogers Garden students).
After a warm welcome from Principal Keezer, 4th grade student, La’Nia Bennett proudly and fearlessly led the Pledge of Allegiance. Next, Superintendent Wysong talked about how proud he was of the progress made at Ballard Elementary under Principal Keezer and his team as well as community involvement resulting in the school’s grade to rise to “B” grade category! He said, of the 51 schools in Manatee County, almost half are Title 1 schools, but with the help of the school council, police force, Dream Center and other community initiatives working to ‘move the needle’ and enhance the educational system, adding the reading room was a “no-brainer”!
And hopefully this first reading room in Manatee County will inspire more!
The other student participant in the program, 5th grader, Mya Sharpe, then recited a popular poem about the wonderful discoveries found in reading. Pastor Rivera of Bayside Community Dream Center also spoke on the impact of special initiatives to help students as well. And to close out the program, Principal Keezer shared his story of overcoming poverty, poor grades, and other challenges, and his commitment to aiding his students do the same. Another assembly would be held in the afternoon for the students, parents, and educators to celebrate the opening.
Room theme: The Sky Is the Limit!
As you enter the room, a 30+ foot muraled welcome wall on the right draws you in to explore the wonders of new experiences, urging you to “Think Big” as “The Sky is the Limit”! This theme effectively impresses students to dare to dream dreams and believe in achieving them, because…our planet earth’s never-ending sky “IS the limit”!
Multicolored hot air balloons (Chinese lanterns with small wicker baskets) hanging from the ceiling create the impression of their life-size counterparts hovering way up high in the sky! And each of them has a passenger photo of one of the individuals who contributed to the room’s development, re-emphasizing the benevolent care of the staff and volunteers involved in this special initiative.
Bookcases filled with books, and bins on shelves involved i the same occupation populate the perimeters. Comfortable carpet in muted tones of gray and white clouds gently point students’ focus to their treasured tomes!
More fun appointments are: puffy felt clouds interspersed between hot air balloons in mobiles and upholstered kid-sized easy chairs that create a relaxed atmosphere. And how about taking off on an inter-galactic adventure in the space capsule tent!
“Wobble stools” also afford comfortable and effective seating to help focus students with attention deficit disorder on their chosen adventures.
One website reported the occupational therapy benefits of the wobble seat: It’s “The ideal seat for kids who just can’t sit still. Its rounded base allows kids to swivel, tilt and wobble without tipping over. Sitting on a Wobble Chair allows kids to channel restless energy as they do homework, eat or play games. It helps create an active learning environment that keeps bodies and minds engaged. funandfunction.com
And from School Outfitters,
“Wobble stools are worth integrating into early learning spaces to help regulate, refocus, and engage all levels of students. Blend them into a classroom’s seating plan in a rotational or voluntary style setup. They provide student enrichment, regulate movement, and help students focus throughout the day on the tasks at hand.”
This reading room shares space with a computer lab. The two are separated by chest-high bookcases, a strategic move that provides alternative new technology enabling students to explore new horizons in another way!
Special thanks to:
Mark and Kimberley Miller
Pastor Sam and Mrs. Sonya Rivera
Principal Rudy Keezer
Ben Carson Reading Room Committee members