SIX BEN CARSON READING ROOMS TO OPEN IN ST. LOUIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

(St. Louis) - On January 22, the St. Louis Chapter of the Carson Scholars Fund will open new Ben Carson Reading Rooms in six St. Louis Public Schools. The rooms are funded by the St. Louis University School of Medicine and are designed to encourage young people to discover the joy of independent reading in a nurturing environment. Superintendent Dr. Diana Bourisaw, a representative from the Mayor’s Office and other community leaders will bring greetings.

Each school will celebrate their grand opening with a school program, followed by a personalized message from Dr. Ben Carson. Dr. Carson will host an interactive video conference beginning at 11:30 a.m.

The six St. Louis metropolitan locations will be the first of the national rollout of the Ben Carson reading Room project. Dr. George Rausch, Associate Dean, St. Louis University School of Medicine and director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, provided the $80,000 funding for the eight rooms.

When: Monday, January 22, 2007 11 a.m.

Where: Compton-Drew Investigative Learning Center 5130 Oakland St. Louis, MO 63110

The following SLPS will also have Ben Carson reading rooms:

Gateway Elementary/Middle School, #4 Gateway Drive

Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts Middle School, 1004 North Jefferson

Compton-Drew Investigative Learning Center, 5130 Oakland

Kennard Classical Junior Academy, 5031 Potomac

Mullanphy Investigative Learning Center, 4221 Shaw

Shaw Visual and Performing Arts, 5329 Columbia

Gateway Elementary/Middle School, #4 Gateway Drive

Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts Middle School, 1004 North Jefferson

Compton-Drew Investigative Learning Center, 5130 Oakland

Kennard Classical Junior Academy, 5031 Potomac

Mullanphy Investigative Learning Center, 4221 Shaw

Shaw Visual and Performing Arts, 5329 Columbia