Reading Skills classes offered at Golden West College

-- Mike Sciacca

Learning how to read is of paramount importance for any youngster, and

parents can get a jump start on the process through the Reading Skills

Programs offered at Golden West College.

The programs are available for children ages 4 through the 11th grade.

Tom Callinan, an instructor with the Institute of Reading Development,

teaches a session for kids entering the first grade.

“These kids bring so much energy into the classroom, along with their

parents,” Callinan said. “It’s such an eye-catching sight to see how fun

learning to read can be.”

Parents are required to attend the First Grade reading session with

their children.

Children will master basic phonics skills, develop fluency,

comprehension, vocabulary and create an enjoyment for reading books.

Parents can expect to see their children develop the reading skills

needed to succeed in school.

The session is part of a variety of Reading Skills programs offered

all summer long through Golden West College’s Community Services, and

within the College for Kids & Teens program that is designed to be

educational, stimulating and fun.

Mad Science! tickets on sale

Tickets for Mad Science! are currently being sold through the

Huntington Beach Public Library.

The children’s event will feature fascinating science demonstrations

such as bubble potions, amazing air pressure experiments and chemical

reactions that make things disappear.

The class is recommended for ages 4 and up, and advanced-ticket

purchase is highly recommended.

“This is a wonderful class and it allows the children a chance to do a

little chemistry,” Mary Pat Gonzalez of the Children’s Library said. “We

run various programs once a month here and some tickets are still

available for Mad Science!”

Mad Science! will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Tabby

Storytime Theater inside the library.

Tickets are $3 per person and can be obtained by calling (714)

375-5107.

Interactive rainforest at library next month

It still may be a month down the road, but The Mighty Rainforest will

be offered through the Huntington Beach Public Library.

The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Tabby

Storytime Theater.

The Mighty Rainforest, offered by The Wildlife Co., will present an

interactive adventure with live and exotic animals. Children will be

allowed to meet and greet several animals, including a lemur, an iguana,

a snake and even cockroaches.

Tickets for The Mighty Rainforest are $3 per person.

“We don’t have many tickets left, as this program has proven to be

very popular,” Mary Pat Gonzalez of the Children’s Library said.

Volunteers sought for Project SHARE

Do you have time to help build confidence in youth? Do you want to

make a difference in your community by volunteering in local schools?

Project SHARE is a unique program that builds a bridge between seniors

and youngsters.

The Intergenerational volunteer program, which has been in existence

for nearly 10 years, is based out of the Michael E. Rodgers Seniors’

Center in Huntington Beach.

This volunteer opportunity is in partnership between the Huntington

Beach Adult School of Education and the Seniors’ Center.

Senior volunteers assist in classrooms by working with small groups of

youth one or two mornings per week.

“We look for volunteers who are prepared to make a commitment to the

program, and a commitment to the youth of the community,” volunteer

coordinator Cindy Daniels said. “This is a great program to become

involved with.”

Volunteer training begins Oct. 3. Classes will be held at Rodgers

Seniors’ Center, from 1 to 3 p.m., on four consecutive Wednesdays.

Volunteers completing the training program and upon graduation, will

receive a certificate of completions from the adult school.

For more information, call Daniels at 374-1544.