Submitted by Carmen Smith
While restoring one of Fluvanna County’s Rosenwald schoolhouses – the Dunbar Schoolhouse in Palmyra – we put away our tools Friday (July 13) to give local students a day of learning about STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and having fun.
Kids in this community have no public recreation, and most of them have no internet access. Both Century Link and Xfinity stop about three-quarters of a mile down the highway. We have been trying to get them to expand for years. This is a big disadvantage to the kids, not only in the summer, but during the school year as well.
I would like to give these kids a reason to go back to school with a totally new attitude, ready to excel in every area. I want them to know about engineering and get them excited about math and science now, so they will be prepared to further their education in engineering and other technical areas.
This is a free event with volunteers and contributions from a local company and the community. Our plans are to continue to restore the building, expand the play area, and be there to serve our community. This project is a slow ongoing project, because it is being done on a paycheck-to-paycheck basis. Donations are always welcomed. If God continue to bless me with my health and strength, with the support of my husband and family we will one day have a space that the community will be proud of.
The next public event will be the second Sunday in August, when the Fluvanna Historical Society will hold an open house to tour and learn about the history of this Rosenwald schoolhouse.
