SBCSS News and Press Releases

Reading Buddies Kicks Off At Curtis Elementary In Rialto

2008-09-08

RIALTO - The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, in partnership with the Rialto Fire Department, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and the Rialto Unified School District, will kick off Reading Buddies at Sam Curtis Elementary on Sept. 12.

San Bernardino County Superintendent Gary Thomas, Curtis Principal Karen Elias and other civic and community leaders will lead a group of volunteers into classrooms to read a book.

The volunteer reading program calls on business, civic, community and education leaders to commit to reading to students once a month. The public-private partnership, supported by local chambers, service organizations and other businesses, has been created and expanded countywide to include East Valley, West End and High Desert school districts - including Colton Joint Unified, Chino Valley Unified, Central, Etiwanda, San Bernardino City Unified and Victor Elementary.

"The foundation of a good education is the ability to read. It is vital we develop good reading skills in all our students so that they are able to achieve academically and become life-long learners," County Superintendent Gary Thomas said.

Principal Elias said Reading Buddies provides Curtis students with great opportunities.

"The Reading Buddies volunteer program is valuable in that it brings volunteers together to promote literacy and emphasize the importance of reading," Elias said.

The Curtis Elementary program will kick off with refreshments and an assembly at 8 a.m. The school is located at 451 S. Lilac Ave. in Rialto. Business or community members who would like to join the voluntary reading program should contact Elias at Curtis Elementary at (909) 421-7366 or Linda Miranda with the County Schools office at (909) 476-2214.