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Article last updated:
Thursday, May 10, 2001 2:51 AM MST
School library to honor former student
Sixth-grader killed in train accident
By Tasha Bartholomew
STAFF WRITER
SAN LEANDRO -- To honor the memory of a student killed by a train,
John Muir Middle School has started the Jeffrey Simpson Memorial Book
Collection.
Simpson was a sixth-grader who was struck March 1 by an Amtrak Capitol
train on Davis Street on his way to school. Russ Tomlin, the school's
librarian, said Simpson's family wanted a memorial at John Muir that
was reading-oriented.
Book donations
Everyone is invited to remember Simpson in a meaningful and lasting
way by donating a new book to the school's library, Tomlin said. A
special bookplate will be mounted inside the front cover that says,
"Donated in loving memory of Jeffrey Simpson, 1988-2001."
All donations will be added to the John Muir Middle School Library's
permanent book collection. So far, the library has collected more than
20 books and $500 in donations. The book collection started March 22
during the school's book fair.
"This is the first time the school has ever done anything like this,
and we'd like to get a nice collection," Tomlin said. "This is a good
start, but we could always use more."
John Muir Principal Donna Russell-Snyder said Simpson was an avid
reader and loved fantasy books. His favorite books were the "Harry
Potter" series, she said.
Keeping spirit alive
"By contributing books in his memory, it keeps his spirit alive for
the other kids," Russell-Snyder said. "It is also a way for the kids
to say goodbye."
Student Amber Taylor had four classes with Simpson this year and got
to know him pretty well. Taylor described Simpson as an energetic and
helpful person who loved reading.
She agreed that the "Harry Potter" books were his favorites. Taylor
and fellow classmate Nick Nethercott said many of the students thought
Simpson looked like the character because of his green eyes and dark
hair.
Once, Taylor let Simpson borrow a 300-page book and he finished it in
three days, she said.
Although Taylor and Nethercott have not donated a book to the library
yet, they both plan to.
"I think the book collection is a good idea because students who will
come here next year can see and know what type of person he was,"
Nethercott said.
Book suggestions and a list of books the library needs are available.
Community members may also donate money for a book for the special
collection.
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Donations may be mailed to John Muir Middle School Library, Attention
Russ Tomlin, 1444 Williams St., San Leandro, CA 94577. Call 667-3574.
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©1999-2001 by MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers
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