VAN NUYS : Special Students Honored for Reading Efforts

It was a spirited day for about 150 mentally retarded, physically disabled and emotionally troubled children at the West Valley Special Education Center, who were rewarded for a year’s worth of book appreciation by a visit from a TV celebrity and a costumed bookworm.

To the sound of uproarious applause, children from each classroom took turns running, walking or rolling forward in wheelchairs to receive packets of books purchased through the Los Angeles Unified School District’s special education program.

Principal Marcee Seegan, who lit up the children’s faces in her bookworm regalia during the ceremony on the front lawn, said this type of event is “especially important at a school like this.”

“We don’t see the same kind of academic progress you see in other schools, so we try to keep them excited about learning this way,” Seegan said. “It’s really important to keep everybody involved--myself and the staff included.”

Also attending was KNBC-TV Channel 4 weatherman Christopher Nance. “These kids are especially great,” Nance said. “They’re still thinking and feeling like everybody else, but sometimes I think it’s more clearly than the rest of us. All it takes is putting in a little energy and they’ll respond.”

During the school year, the elementary school-age children read or listened to readings of 20 books, including Dr. Seuss and Disney favorites. Seegan said she wants to double that number next year.