Volunteers Open Book on Reading

Book lovers who want to share their love of reading often find their most eager audiences in young children. That is certainly the case at four Valley elementary schools, where 50 volunteers are participating in a literacy program in which they teach reading skills to primary-age children twice a week.

Responding to the need for one-on-one help for beginning readers, the Volunteer Assistance League of Southern California recently sent trained tutors to Cohasset, Erwin Street and Kittridge Street elementary schools in Van Nuys, and Coldwater Canyon Avenue Elementary School in North Hollywood. The volunteers read with the youngsters 20-30 minutes each session.

“When children know they’re getting special attention, they rise to the occasion,” said Erwin Street Principal Marla Mondheim. “This program builds trust and builds relationships, so the children feel comfortable reaching higher, without the fear of failing.”

KUDOS

They Can: Four of the 12 Los Angeles County Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (ICAN) poster contest winners arrived at a Board of Supervisors meeting recently, where they proclaimed that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Holding up their winning posters, Leslie Anaya, 11, and Jose Arias, , 12, sixth-graders at John Burroughs Middle School in Burbank; Tony B.,13, a seventh-grader at Sherman Oaks’ The HELP Group/Village Glen School; and Kenny Wakeland, 10, a fifth-grader at Westmark School in Encino, made the proclamation. Then they were handed certificates by the supervisors. They will be honored by ICAN at a May 17 reception.

Drawing on Talent: Notre Dame High School sophomores Abe Artuz, Kevin Dwyer, Rhea Rebbe and Natalie Fabia, and juniors Sara Berrenson, Matt Guerrero, Aaron Limonick and Lindsey Warren arrived at USC recently to begin the Ryman Program, a Saturday arts project that offers painting and drawing classes to talented young people. The eight Sherman Oaks students are among 30 artists selected for the three-month program that offers art-education field trips and classes taught by guest artists.

EVENTS

Finding Fun: Burbank High School’s student body and staff will roll out the red carpet for alumni and the community Saturday at their first annual Founders’ Day event. The free program from noon to 3 p.m. seeks to bring together Burbank residents with tours, games and food.

Library Benefit: Actress Ruth Kaye will perform her one-woman musical revue, “Broadway’s Fabulous Females,” on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Lanai Road Elementary School in Encino. All proceeds from the show, sponsored by the PTA, will go toward the purchase of library books, computers and teacher-resource materials. For information, call (818) 623-6667.

END NOTES

San Fernando Middle School is offering English-as-a second-language classes for adults Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. . . . Valley parents seeking free, hands-on art workshops for their kids can drop in at the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Geffen Contemporary in Los Angeles for artist-led activities on Sundays. For information, call (213) 621-1712. . . . Burbank Adult School will offer classes beginning in May in faux-finish wall painting. For registration information, call (818) 558-4611.