Continuing a tradition at Norfolk Academy, the senior class started the 2021-2022 school year by bringing children’s backpacks for the first day of school. With designs ranging from Disney princesses to superheroes, these backpacks were reminiscent of the seniors’ elementary school days. The Literacy Fellows filled over fifty backpacks with a myriad of school supplies, children’s books, and journals, in an effort led by Claire Vu (‘22) and Madalyn Mejia (‘22). The Literacy Fellows also made chapbooks, or small activity books, to put in the bags. Ms. Antionae, the director of the Boys & Girls’ Club Tidewater Park unit, worked with Dr. Kidd to deliver these backpacks to the students at Tidewater Park Elementary. 

In the years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, Literacy Fellows visited Tidewater Park Elementary in order to help students with reading and homework. While the fellows are not able to visit Tidewater Park Elementary as we used to, we hope to explore other ways to impact the community. We are also planning on virtual readings for Tidewater Park Elementary students, potential guided videos for exercise and other activities, and a possible continuation of our Book Box project, in which we fill personalized boxes with books tailored to students’ interests. In our year of togetherness, Literacy Fellows are looking forward to a new wave of community engagement!