SBCSS News and Press Releases

Sixth Annual Reading Buddies Kickoff At Gird Elementary In Chino

2008-10-17

CHINO - The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, in partnership with the Chino Valley Unified School District and the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce, will kick off the Reading Buddies program at Richard Gird Elementary on Oct. 21. The volunteer reading program calls on business, civic, community and education leaders to commit to reading to students once a month.

Principal Jesus Luna, city officials and chamber business members will lead a group of volunteers into classrooms of kindergarten through six-graders to read a book.

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 - which include Colton, Chino Valley, Central, Etiwanda, Ontario-Montclair, Rialto, San Bernardino City and Victor Elementary.

"The Reading Buddies volunteer program is valuable in that it will bring volunteers together to promote literacy and emphasize the importance of reading," Principal Luna said. "At Gird, this program is a priority and provides a great opportunity for our kids." Gird holds the longest sustaining program in the county, now in its sixth year.

The Gird Elementary program will kick off at 9:55 a.m. on Oct. 21. The school is located at 4980 Riverside Drive in Chino. Future Reading Buddies dates for Gird are Nov. 18, Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 24, May 19 and June 2, which culminates with a finale celebration. All future reading events begin at 9:55 a.m.

Business or community members who would like to join the voluntary reading program should contact Heidi Gross at Gird at (909) 627-9638 or Linda Miranda with the County Schools office at (909) 476-2214.