From the
Hattiesburg American in Mississippi. In the picture, USDA acting state director George Irvin, foreground, shakes a 3-D School student's hand as USDA program director Don Thames and USDA business loans specialist Cynthia Williams greet students at the school.
PETAL, Miss. - The Lamberts moved to Petal for one reason: so their 9-year-old son, Caleb, could attend the Dynamic Dyslexia Design School.
On May 18, Caleb's first year of the unique institution's two-year program ended, and his mother says the family's sacrifice was worth it.
"We have seen growth in many areas," Shirley Lambert said about her son's experiences at the 3-D School. "He's just doing so much better in his reading."
Lambert credits the program for providing a nurturing atmosphere for her son who now has a network of friends he can relate to because their struggle is just like his.
"We need this kind of program in the public school system," Lambert said.
Caleb was one of 24 local children who attended the school's inaugural 2008-09 school year.
The school celebrated the landmark May 18 with a special program attended by parents and elected officials, and members of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who provided a $156,000 grant to the school. The funds were used for renovations to the building where the school is housed on South George Street.
Cena Holifield, director of the 3-D School, said the school has received approximately $200,000 in grants and donations in its first year.
USDA officials toured the school May 18.
"We were very impressed with what we saw," said George Irvin, acting state director for the USDA. "Obviously when we see taxpayers' dollars being put to such great use, we're thrilled about that."
Irvin said Petal's location is the first 3-D school the department has funded. He indicated the department would not hesitate to provide additional funding for the school's expansion.
"We don't want to have just 24 individuals next year, we really want to have 96," Mayor Carl Scott said in his address to the audience. "These kids will always be special because they're the first."
Holifield said all 24 students in the first class will return next year. There's also children on the waiting list for the 2010-11 class, she said.
Looking back on the first year at the 3-D School, Holifield said, "(The students) are so much more confident in their ability to write.
"They understand their diversity and how its something they shouldn't be ashamed of."
From the Hattiesburg American in Mississippi. In the picture, USDA acting state director George Irvin, foreground, shakes a 3-D School student's hand as USDA program director Don Thames and USDA business loans specialist Cynthia Williams greet students at the school.