SBCSS News and Press Releases

Dona Merced School Holds Reading Buddies Kickoff On Oct. 1

2009-09-29

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, in partnership with the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce and the Central School District, will kick off Reading Buddies program at Dona Merced School on Oct. 1 at 1 p.m.

The volunteer reading program calls on business, civic, community and education leaders to commit to reading to students once a month. San Bernardino County Superintendent Gary Thomas, Dona Merced Principal Eileen Galarze, and other officials will lead the kickoff event.

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.

"The Reading Buddies volunteer program is valuable in that it brings volunteers together to promote literacy and emphasize the importance of reading," Galarze said. The program will kick off with a reception and classroom reading. Future Reading Buddies dates for the school are Oct. 22, Nov. 19, Dec. 17 and Jan. 21, which ends with a finale celebration. All reading events begin at 1 p.m.

The school is located at 10333 Palo Alto St. in Rancho Cucamonga. Those who would like to join the voluntary reading program should contact Allison Castro at Merced at (909) 980-1600 or Linda Miranda with County Schools at (909) 476-6164.