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School system puts old house to good use

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

An effort by the coweta County School System to be a good neighbor has led to the preservation of an old home on Nimmons Street in Newnan.

According to Coweta County School System Public Information Officer Dean Jackson, the system purchased the house next to Atkinson School three years ago and budgeted $69,270 to renovate it.

The traffic around Atkinson was increasing, and Jackson said the school system decided the purchase of the house would alleviate some of the traffic concerns.

The board was able to use part of the side yard as a driveway for the school and then made a decision that was applauded.

“The board committed to saving and restoring the house after meeting with neighborhood residents and the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society,” Jackson said.

The system then turned the home into a Parent Resource Center and held an open house this week to show it off.

The center, which is housed in the restored historic home, will serve as a home for Stepping Stones, Puddle Jumpers and other programs aimed at helping parents support their children’s education and development.

Sherry Warren, Nancy Royal, Janie Cantrell and Cindy Floyd have been working to prepare the center, and have been hosting Puddle Jumpers classes for mothers and their two and three-year-olds for the last two weeks.

On Tuesday, parents and toddlers came to visit the house as part of a six-week Puddle Jumpers program that lets children play in structured environments, and their mothers see firsthand what types of activities build manipulative skills, motor skills, and creative abilities.

“The children have fun, but the moms have to be a part of this, because they’re learning about their child’s development and getting tips about how their children learn,” said Nancy Royal.

Puddle Jumpers is a program that helps teach the mothers of two ands three-year-olds how to prepare their children for school and what types of play help children’s cognitive and social development. The program was begun a year ago by Royal, Warren and other school system employees.It builds on the success of Stepping Stones (which reaches new mothers) and PassPORT for Success (which provides support for the parents of elementary-age children).

PassPORT teaches parents study skills, time management, and academic development tips to help them better support their children’s academic career.It has worked with over 300 parents during its first year.

Though PassPORT programs at Coweta elementary schools will continue, the 22 Nimmons Street house will also serve as a location for expanded PassPORT classes.

Puddle Jumpers classes at Nimmons Street are currently open to Atkinson, Elm Street and Ruth Hill district parents.The organizers are preparing to start classes for three more elementary schools (Title I schools are being served first) and hope to hold classes for all school districts by the end of the year.

Those interested in what the center offers can call at 770-254-1985.