Rebuilding Mrs. Groom's Second Grade Library

Hello, I am the parent of a student in Mrs. Groom’s 2023-2024 Second Grade class at Markham Elementary in Portland, Oregon. This school year has been a challenging chapter for Mrs. Groom and her students. In November, a teachers' strike echoed the community's plea for better school conditions, closing the school's doors and pausing the learning journey through Thanksgiving. Shortly after the strike closure a harsh winter ice storm wreaked havoc on the school.

Damage to the school was compounded with the discovery of mold and asbestos due to years of neglected maintenance by the district. Leaving students without their school and the loss of their classroom materials, specifically Mrs. Groom’s personal library of books.

For twenty years, Mrs. Groom carefully curated a collection of books for her classroom. These were not just books; they were gateways to adventure, understanding, and discovery for her students.

Now, Mrs. Groom and her resilient students find themselves in a strange place - temporary classrooms that lack the familiarity, warmth and magic of their own.

We are raising funds with the goal of restoring the lost library, of replenishing those empty shelves with new books that will spark joy, inspire dreams, and fuel the imaginations of current and future students.

Your contribution, no matter how small, can help replace the 20 years worth of classroom books. It’s more than a donation; it’s a testament to the belief that every child deserves a vibrant learning environment. Together, we can ensure that Mrs. Grooms' classroom remains a place where stories come alive, where learning knows no bounds, and where children are empowered to explore, discover and grow.