Around South County: Engraved bricks fund school's garden

One brick at a time: That's how Shady Side Elementary School's PTA is funding and building its new reading garden.

New benches placed on the front side of the school will ring a garden so a teacher may take an entire class outside to work on a special project - or maybe just to have some special reading time.

Shawna Simmons, PTA member and mother of three, is spearheading the project.

"My grandmother (Lorraine Nieman) taught here and all five of the children in my family went to school from kindergarten through sixth grade here," Mrs. Simmons said. "This school is very special to me and to the community."

To raise...