Dallas Center-Grimes CSD is excited to announce that Oak View is a 2025 Casey’s Cash for Classrooms grant recipient. The school received $4,000 to purchase new graphic novels for the Oak View Library and gain access to a one-year subscription to a graphic novel e-library. This project will help our 7th and 8th grade students by adding hundreds of books to our library and online database.
“Each and every day, students walk into the Oak View Library, looking for their next graphic novel to read,” shares Danielle Christensen, Oak View Librarian. “This grant will immediately upgrade our selection and provide incredible opportunities for our students.”
The graphic novel section at Oak View’s library is among the most popular. The checkout rate has increased by nearly 40% during the last school year, and that number is expected to rise with the addition of these new books. Currently, graphic novels represent 6% of the Oak View collection; this grant will increase that percentage to 10%. The online database, ComicsPlus, will also provide an additional resource with access to thousands of titles for our students to use in their search for the perfect book.
“Through Casey’s Cash for Classrooms program, our grants are providing meaningful impact, helping create better learning environments and improving the lives of children and educators. Casey’s is grateful to be in a position to provide support for our communities and the schools and families who work tirelessly to prepare our next generation of leaders,” said Katie Petru, Director of PR and Communications at Casey’s.
The online database is now available for all Oak View students. 7th and 8th graders in the 2024-25 school year were included in the purchasing process, providing key feedback on the books they would like to see in their library.
“This is a great day for the current and future students at Oak View,” shares Christensen. “I’d like to thank the team at Casey’s for their support!”
In preparation for the new order, Oak View students were surveyed about their preferences of graphic novel type. 55% of students prefer realistic graphic novels. Other top choices include humor, fantasy and adventure.
For more information on Casey’s Cash for Classrooms grant program, visit: www.caseys.com/community/cash-for-classrooms-grants. The 2026 grant program will open in the fall.
