Literacy Week at Aeolian came to a close with “Read Across America”, a Community Read Aloud Event and All School Family Picnic. Over 100 readers consisting of parents, staff, and community members came to Aeolian on Friday, March 2, 2012 to read aloud to students. Parents and family members brought blankets, chairs, lunches, and books and joined their student in the Aeolian Rose Garden for the Aeolian annual all school family picnic. This event takes place on the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Dr. Seuss’ body of work epitomizes a love of children and learning. When we celebrate Dr. Seuss and reading, we send a clear message to America’s children that reading is fun and important.
The morning started off with our Friday Flag Ceremony where “Green Eggs and Ham” prepared by the Miss Dawn and her cafeteria staff, was served by PTC parents to students in the Rose Garden. “The Lorax”, (Mrs. Martinez) made a special appearance to read The Cat and the Hat by Dr. Seuss. The “Cat-in-the-Hat” (Chris McCrory) and “Thing One” (Parent, Mrs. Martha Morales) and “Thing Two” (Mrs. Gabby Orellana) treated students to a surprise visit.
One week a year, in celebration of the birthday of the author Dr. Seuss, the National Education Association sponsors Read Across America as a unifying activity for community members to share their love of reading with students.
This year our Literacy Week was even more meaningful to the Aeolian community as it marked the grand opening of our school library. For over ten years the students of Aeolian have gone without a school library. Now thanks to parents, students, staff, and community volunteers the children of Aeolian School have a warm, inviting place to read and learn.
The week started off with the opening of our Book Fair that stayed open all week and closed with over $12,000 in sales. The proceeds from all Book Fair sales will be used to purchase more books for the new Aeolian School Library.
Ronald McDonald also treated students to a special “Book Time” magic and music show. Ronald shared with students some of the many exciting things that can be learned from books. On Wednesday, Aeolian parents braved the cold weather to show their love of reading to learn literacy strategies to help their students raise test scores. Parents were treated to a surprise guest speaker to President and CEO Robin Keefe of BookEnds. Mrs. Keefe announced at the event that BookEnds just donated an additional 5,000 books to Aeolian School.
On Thursday, the entire Aeolian School Community gathered in front of the new library for a special ribbon cutting ceremony. The event was attended by Whittier City Mayor Cathy Warner, Councilman Joe Vinatieri, Jessica Magdosku, Whittier City Chamber of Commerce, Dale Petrulis and Barbara Egyud from Bring Me a Book Foundation, Field Representatives from Assembly Member Tony Mendoza’s office and Senator Ron Calderon’s Office, Superintendent Jonathan Vasquez, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mary McNeil, Assistant Superintendent Doug McMasters as well as many, many parent volunteers.
Jacqueline Kennedy once said, “There are many little ways to enlarge a child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” What a better way to instill a love of reading and expand a child’s world than seeing members of their community modeling a literate life.
Aeolian Elementary would like to thank everyone who attended Literacy Week Events for taking time out of your busy schedule to make the difference in a child’s life. Events like these are what children remember most about school.
Again, thank you for your time and support of our children and for sharing your love of reading.
This week would not have been as successful without the support of the following companies and individuals who came out to show their support to the Aeolian Community:
Los Angeles County 4th District Supervisor, Don Knabe
Field Representative for Senator Ron Calderon Luis Gonzalez
Mario Trujillo, Assistant District Attorney of Los Angeles
Juanita Trujillo, Santa Fe Springs City Council Member
Jonathan Vasquez, Superintendent
Dr. Mary McNeil, Assistant Superintendent
Art Escobedo, Los Nietos School District Board Member
Marissa Hernandez, Los Nietos School District Board Member
Nick Aquino, Los Nietos School District Board Member
Jacqueline Cardenas, Principal Los Nietos Middle School
Downey High School
Southern California Edison Company
Think Together General Managers
City National Bank
American Eagle Pilot
Bank of America (Washington Blvd. Branch)
Cookie Ruby, McDonalds
Jill Frieze Author and Astro the Therapy Dog
Kathy Lopez, Therapy Dog
Miguel Ramirez, American Red Cross
Rebecca Leopold, Bright Health Physicians
Robin Jones, Whittier Public Library
Rondalyn Roach, Whittier Area Community Church
Robert Ramirez, Public Defender
Keenan Roark, Owner Half Off Book Store
Many, many parent volunteers
Many, many spouses and family members of teachers and staff
By: Principal Amber Lee-Ruiz
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