Cursive Writing, Penmanship Classes for Students Available at Powderly Branch Library

Tutors are now available at the Powderly Branch Library to assist students in the City of Birmingham in learning basic cursive writing and penmanship. The classes began in December after the Powderly Library received an Innovative and Cool Award from the Birmingham Public Library Board to fund the new program.

The After School Writing Lab, called “Assistance with Cursive Writing and Basic Penmanship,” is taught by tutors from Birmingham’s Social Security Administration. The class focuses on teaching second- through fifth-grade students in the Birmingham City School System cursive writing and basic penmanship, said Loretta Bitten, branch manager of the Powderly Library.

“We were informed by one of our parents that the school system had implemented cursive writing in the school’s curriculum and many of the children are having difficulty,” Bitten said. “Because of this, we offer a writing lab weekly to help strengthen the children with cursive writing and penmanship.”

The grant money from the BPL Board of Trustees was used to buy writing tablets, pencil and pens, stencils, erasers, chalk, markers and stencils, templates, and blackboards. Light snacks will be provided each session. For more information, call Powderly Library at 205-925-6178.

“We initially were going for six weeks. The children loved it so much until we continued to have it once weekly,” Bitten said.

Schedule of Learn Cursive Writing and General Penmanship classes; all classes begin at 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 7
Tuesday, February 14
Tuesday, February 21
Tuesday, February 28