FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
With a theme this year of "Read for the Ride of Your Life," the California Teachers Association is celebrating "Read Across America" by taking part in several events across the state today.
The annual event is sponsored by the CTA and the 2.7 million-member National Education Association. "Encouraging a love of reading in children is something we celebrate this entire week," said Barbara E. Kerr, president of the 335,000-member CTA. "Good reading skills are the cornerstone of academic success."
A sampling of Read Across America events planned around the state today:
LOS ANGELES : CTA President Kerr and Secretary-Treasurer Dean E. Vogel hold reading event for 250 children this morning. Voice character actress Carolyn Lawrence, of the popular cartoon series, "Sponge Bob Squarepants," will join the festivities: 9 a.m. breakfast for students; 10 a.m. news conference; 10:15 a.m. reading activities. Kids will receive free books. Location is the Hilton Los Angeles Airport Hotel, 5711 West Century Blvd. Contact Frank Wells by cell: 562-884-3938, or Sheri Miyamoto: 310-505-7993.
SACRAMENTO : Teachers at Joyce Elementary School in Rio Linda will be giving 50 families 50 books each to start home libraries. A $3,000 grant from Target paid for the books, which will be given to families starting at 5:30 p.m. tonight at the school, 6050 Watt Ave., Rio Linda. Contact teacher Shiela Laubengayer at the school: 916-332-2245.
SAN DIEGO : Several volunteers from First Book of San Diego, which has already given away more than 40,000 books to children in San Diego County, will read to 180 second-graders at Kimbrough Elementary, 321 Hoitt St., San Diego. Starting time is 10 a.m. Contact is Frank Caso by cell: 858-442-2366.
BAY AREA : Several Fremont Unified School District officials and teachers will read to students today at Weibel Elementary School, 45135 South Grimmer Blvd., in Fremont: (510) 651-6958.