Southern Avenue Charter — Special Ceremony Dedicates School’s New Library in Honor of Philanthropist J.R. ‘Pitt’ Hyde III
By Constance King / Special to My Life
The Southern Avenue Charter School of Academic Excellence and Creative Arts at 3311 Kimball recently celebrated the formal opening and dedication of its library.
Southern Avenue Principal George Knox said, “We are extremely pleased to dedicate this beautiful library to a great philanthropist who has generously given to improve the lives of our children, Mr. J. R. ‘Pitt’ Hyde III. He and his family have a history of helping the children in our community succeed and become educated. And so, we dedicate The J. R. Hyde III Library at Southern Avenue Charter School.”
Jeanette Bates Reynolds will serve as the school’s librarian. Reynolds retired from the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library in August 2005, after 39 years as a librarian in the Children Services Department. Her first position as a children’s librarian was at Cossitt Library in 1966, the first African American Children’s Library at that location, where she planned and implemented the story time programs.
When asked about her return from retirement Reynolds said, “I am happy to be a part of this school and this wonderful children’s library. The J. R. Hyde III Library has a wide variety of reading material for everyone to read and enjoy. This is especially important because previously, these at-risk children did not have a library at this school and reading can transform lives.”
Southern Avenue, one of a dozen charter schools in Memphis, opened its doors in August 2005. Executive administrator Elise Evans explains, “Southern Avenue Charter School is the only ‘public’ charter school in West Tennessee that was founded by a grass roots group of stakeholders (parents, grandparents, educators, business entrepreneurs and executives, judges. lawyers, retired blue- and white-collar workers, community activists, etc.) who wanted parents to have a choice in the school their children would attend. Students who attend Southern Avenue Charter School were originally assigned to ‘failing schools’ or schools on the ‘high priority list’.”
The school’s name seems a bit confusing, as it is located on Kimball rather than Southern, but the name originated from the child care center (Southern Avenue Child Care Center) that was previously owned by Evans and the “of Academic Excellence and Creative Arts” part of the name was added to express the special focus this school is offering to students. As part of their regular school day, students are offered a program called “A Kaleidoscope of Learning Through Creative Arts.” The goal is to increase each child’s learning by engaging the child in a program that motivates self- expression through the arts. Programs offered include Suzuki violin, Suzuki piano, ballet, chorus, taekwondo, chess, Japanese and Spanish.
Southern Avenue also offers creative writing and book-making classes, led by the school’s artist in residence, Judy Dierkes from the Memphis Academy of Arts. She is being sponsored by the Memphis Arts Commission through Peggy Seessel. Additional community support for the school comes from its board members, including board chairman Ann Willis, Illona Gray, Rev. Noel Hutchinson, Vera Jones, Joy Richmond-Bowen, Monica Wharton, Dr. Russell Wigginton and parent representatives Rachelle Hollowell and Mary Kincaide. Area businesses support the school, too, through corporate partnerships and include The Hyde Family Foundation, The Community Music School at the University of Memphis, Volunteer Memphis, Ballet on Wheels, Federal Express, Gilliam Communications Inc. (LLC), Greenwood CME Church, Insights ATA Black Belt Academy, International Paper and Playhouse on the Square.
The school is currently accepting books in order to expand its library. Call 743-7335 or bring books to the school, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Constance King is the financial manager at Southern Avenue Charter School.
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