Patriot E-News September 2017

September 2017

KDS Student Receives New Heart

KDS student Chance Stapler has experienced more challenges in his young life than most people do in their entire lives. Chance, a 15-year-old 9th grader, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a congenital defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart.

Because of his condition, Chance has never been able to play sports or be as active as other children his age. He has undergone numerous surgeries - the first when he was just two weeks old. But when Chance was hospitalized this summer due to a low oxygen level and life-threatening arrhythmia, the doctors at Children's of Alabama decided it was time for a transplant.

Chance received his new heart on August 17, and after a few complications and a total of 76 days in the hospital, he was released on Friday, September 15. He will live in the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham for 4-6 weeks while he undergoes rehab and heart clinic.

If you'd like to send Chance a card or note of encouragement, his temporary address is:

Ronald McDonald House

c/o Chance Stapler Room 304

1700 4th Avenue South

Birmingham, AL 35233

Dedication Day 2017

KDS Dedication Day activities are planned for Thursday, October 12, and Friday, October 13, 2017. Please make plans to attend and be a part of the festivities. Follow the link below to see the schedule of events and registration form. We hope to see you there!

Schedule of Events and Registration Form

KDS to Host Bicentennial Art Exhibit

KDS and the Grant community will play host to the Marshall County Paint-Out art exhibit October 12 - November 19. The event, which was orchestrated by the Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Guntersville Museum, was designed to enhance this year's ALABAMA 200 bicentennial theme, Exploring Our Places, while simultaneously connecting the community with the statewide celebration through artistic expression.

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Reading Volunteers at KDS Elementary

Students and teachers alike know the importance of reading skills and comprehension at all levels in school. Fortunately, KDS students who struggle with reading are lucky to have volunteers who care enough to donate their time to read to and with them during the school day.

The Marshall County Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Reading Buddies is a program of volunteers spending time one-on-one with students who need extra help in reading. The Reading Buddy is asked to give 30 minutes weekly to spend time reading with and to their student. This past year, DAR Elementary earned 348 hours in Reading Buddy hours for the 2016-2017 school year. Each year, the RSVP Reading Buddy program begins the week after Grandparents Day, and typically has fifteen to eighteen volunteers who participate.

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