SBCSS News and Press Releases

Reading Buddies Event Kicks Off At Curtis Elementary On Sept. 18

2009-09-15

RIALTO - The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, in partnership with Rialto Fire Department, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and the Rialto Unified School District, will kick off Reading Buddies at Sam Curtis Elementary on Sept. 18 at 8 a.m. The volunteer reading program calls on business, civic, community and education leaders to commit to reading to students once a month in a classroom environment.

San Bernardino County Superintendent Gary Thomas, Burbank Principal Karen Elias and other officials will lead the event. "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," 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, Chino Valley, Etiwanda, Ontario-Montclair, Rialto, San Bernardino City and Victor Elementary.

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 meet and greet and classroom reading. Future Reading Buddies dates for the school are Oct. 16, Dec. 18, Jan. 15, Feb. 19 April 16 and May 21, which culminates with a finale celebration.

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 Principal Elias at Curtis Elementary at (909) 421-7366 or Linda Miranda with County Schools at (909) 476-6164.