PSV Volunteers in Literacy foster love of reading

Reading is an endangered sport. Research shows that television and computer screen time is replacing the printed word. This is a loss for adults, but a serious problem for young students learning to read and write.

Pacifica School Volunteers (PSV) addresses this problem with its Volunteers in Literacy program. PSV places volunteers in classrooms who help struggling students conquer reading and writing. The organization also conducts free literacy trainings to give volunteers and parents skills to help students learn to read and write. All this culminates in the spring when PSV reaches out to community members throughout Pacifica to inspire a love of reading. Pacifica School Volunteers organizes events in a Celebration of Literacy to

encourage children to read, write and appreciate literature. These events include Read Aloud Days, Young Authors events and a Children's Book Sale.

The Celebration of Literacy started with Read Aloud Days held at Sunset Ridge and Ortega Schools, where over 80 community members visited classrooms to read stories about industrious ants, naughty dogs and pirates who don t change diapers. Senator Leland Yee, Assemblyman Gene Mullin, Supervisor Rich Gordon, Pacifica City Council and School Board members, along with nurses, police and scientists came to share their love of literature. Children listened spellbound on the carpet, with their legs crossed in front and their eyes and ears riveted on the readers. Pacifica librarian, Barbara Amberg provided books for many readers, and the Ortega and Sunset Ridge parents associations treated the readers with delicious spreads of bagels, muffins, sandwiches, fresh fruit, and other goodies.

The sixth annual Children's Book Sale and Raffle was also a huge success. Held outside the Linda Mar Starbucks, the book sale offered books at an affordable price, thus encouraging young people to read. The event was successful and fun because of the strong support of the community. Numerous families

donated hundreds of books at Starbucks and First National Bank and several local businesses donated raffle items. Those generous businesses were Coastside Scavenger, Nor Cal Surf Shop, Macy s, Sharp Park Golf Course and Starbucks. The Pacifica School Volunteers Board and Oceana high school student volunteer, Shelsea Evans worked hard throughout the day to make sure the book sale ran smoothly. All left over books were donated to teachers and families at Sunset Ridge Elementary School.

On the day of the Book Sale, Sunset Ridge Young Authors, Sarah Braun, Deanna Cotroneo, Hans Dado, Anissa Fajardo, Jaden Fields, Chloe Marsh, Max Marsh, Natalia Rivera and Savannah Saulny entertained the audience with their original stories, poems and books

by the fireplace inside Starbucks. All the young authors received enthusiastic applause for their wonderful writing and reading abilities. More Young Author events are held during the Prime Time Pacifica- Turn Off the TV Week. Community recognition goes a long way to inspire the literacy efforts of young Pacificans. Anissa Fajardo, Jaden Fields.

Volunteers in Literacy is sponsored by the Atkinson Foundation, First National Bank, Pacifica Rotary Club, Severns Family Foundation, Target and the Wells Fargo Foundation. Other sources of funding for Pacifica School Volunteers include the Cisco Systems Foundation, J.H. Robbins Foundation, San Francisco Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Woodlawn Foundation and donations from local

businesses and community members.

Each spring Pacifica School Volunteers rallies the community to support activities that promote literacy for Pacifica's children. As usual, the community has stepped up and shown it cares about the education and well being of our young students. If you'd like to join dozens of other caring adults who contribute to children's success in school by volunteering in the classroom or donating to the organization, please call Pacifica School Volunteers at 355-9432.