SBCSS News and Press Releases

Reading Buddies Inaugural Kickoff At Grapeland Elementary in Etiwanda

2008-10-07

ETIWANDA - The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, in partnership with the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce and the Etiwanda School District, will have its inaugural Reading Buddies program at Grapeland Elementary on Oct. 10 at 9 a.m. The volunteer reading program calls on business, civic, community and education leaders to commit to reading to students once a month.

Etiwanda Superintendent Shawn Judson, Grapeland Principal Jeff Sipos, Chamber Executive Director Norm Mackenzie and other city officials will lead a group of volunteers into classrooms of kindergarten, first- and second-graders to read a book for the first time at this school site.

"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," San Bernardino County Superintendent Gary Thomas said.

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 Central, Colton Joint Unified, Chino Valley Unified, Etiwanda, Ontario-Montclair, San Bernardino City Unified and Victor Elementary School District.

"The Reading Buddies volunteer program is valuable in that it will bring volunteers together to promote literacy and emphasize the importance of reading," Principal Sipos said. "At Grapeland Elementary, reading is a high priority, and this volunteer effort will provide a great opportunity for our kids."

The Grapeland Elementary program will kick off with an assembly, refreshments and reading at 9 a.m. Future Reading Buddies dates for the school are Nov. 14, Jan. 9, Feb. 12, March 13, April 10 and May 8 which culminates with a final celebration. All future reading events begin at 9 a.m.

Grapeland School is located at 7171 Etiwanda Ave. Business or community members who would like to join the voluntary reading program should contact Roberta Copper at (909) 463-7026 or Linda Miranda with the County Schools office at (909) 476-2214.