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On Wed., Dec. 18, Â鶹ÊÓƵ administration and staff delivered 165 children’s books to three area

elementary schools. The books were a collection and donation project initiated by Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Staff Senate in memory

of former Â鶹ÊÓƵ first lady Nancy Evans and in support of innovative learning labs that opened this year at Pietzch-MacArthur, Charlton-Pollard and Blanchette elementary schools.

The labs, called N.E.S.T, in each school are specially equipped rooms that allow students a quiet space to read as well as explore science, math, engineering and technology (STEM). The first N.E.S.T opened at Pietzch MacArthur Elementary School, where Nancy Evans read to children every Wednesday. The benefit of the Pietzch-MacArthur space was immediately recognized so through community partnerships, Â鶹ÊÓƵ facilitated the establishment of additional N.E.S.Ts. There are plans for three more labs to open in 2020.

The rooms with cushy bean bag chairs, brightly painted murals and the latest technology were missing books until Â鶹ÊÓƵ staff supplied them. The Staff Senate launched a campaign to collect books, and staff members contributed a variety of the most popular children’s books as requested by the schools, from “Amelia Bodelia” to “Captain Underpants” and “Dork Diaries.” The books were collected at the President’s Holiday party in early December, divided for each school and delivered before the Christmas break.

Students, teachers and administrators at each school greeted Dr. Ken Evans, president of Â鶹ÊÓƵ and an entourage of staff members when the deliveries were made. Beaumont ISD Superintendent Susan Allen thanked Â鶹ÊÓƵ for its continuing support.