June marks the time of year when most kids are singing
”
No more teachers, no more books
…
”
, but Adele Pimentel of the San Juan City Library and her
volunteers are determined to have at least a few of them clamoring
for more.
San Juan Bautista – June marks the time of year when most kids are singing “No more teachers, no more books…”, but Adele Pimentel of the San Juan City Library and her volunteers are determined to have at least a few of them clamoring for more.
Yesterday marked the beginning of the library’s “Super Community Heroes Summer Reading Program,” a book club for children grades 2 though 6. The program will run through July 11.
“There’s no required (reading) list,” said Pimentel. “We offer a wide variety, and the children read whatever turns them on, whatever gets them excited about reading.”
Thirty students registered this year – an all-time high for the five year old program. In order to provide enough books – the program was designed for 25 participants – the library sought and was awarded two grants for early literacy advocacy. The San Juan Auxiliary Club donated books, and parents donated funds as well.
Pimentel insists that no child is turned away, and for those who are unable to make every meeting, an alternate program is available, with a certificate to Round Table Pizza for the reader upon completion.
Kids at Friday’s first meeting were treated to a special reading of the book Shelf Elf, by Jackie Mims Hopkins, which tells the story of how one of the shoemaker’s elves embarked on a new career as a library assistant – learning good library manners along the way.
A tour of the library followed as the readers received kits to help them keep track of their reading over the four-week period with a pencil, bookmarks that teach the Dewey Decimal system, and a log to record how many pages are read (every ten pages earns a smiley face sticker). Afterwards it was arts and crafts time, with the children painting their own aprons.
“I volunteer my time because I believe art is very important,” said Jenny Morales, who has taken on the role of teaching art with the program each summer. “Everyone has an artistic mind hidden somewhere.”
Indeed, the program is as much about giving kids a well-rounded experience as it is about cracking the books. “Next time we have two coaches visiting who will play games with the children outside,” Pimentel said. “And after that, a seeing-eye dog trainer will come with his puppies. It really keeps the kids interested.”
All this is keeping in line with the theme of the program, ” Super Community Heroes,” which is designed to draw kids’ focus away from cartoon crusaders like the X-Men and towards people like their own moms and dads. “We want to talk about the people you meet every day: teachers, nurses, firefighters-those are the real heroes,” said Pimentel.
At the end of the program, participants are awarded prizes like Beanie Babies and books, as well as special undisclosed prizes for the top reader and perfect attendance. But the competition isn’t why these kids show up: “I just love reading,” said Vicky Ramirez, 8. “Sometimes your friends all go to the beach or whatever, and the best thing to do is find a good book.”
“I think this is a real plus for the community,” said Shirley Hawkins, the library’s technical assistant. “There’s not much here for kids, but this makes them feel comfortable, so that they know the library is a friendly, supportive place.”
