READING TO KIDS EXPANDS TO ANOTHER SCHOOL

Leo Politi Elementary is the Latest School to Join Grassroots Effort

 November 11, 2006 – Reading to Kids, a grassroots organization dedicated to inspiring kids with a love of reading, recently announced its plan to extend its philanthropic effort to Leo Politi Elementary near downtown Los Angeles.  It joins longtime Reading to Kids partners Gratts, Magnolia, Esperanza and Hoover Elementary schools, where the charity holds monthly reading clubs for kids in grades K-5.

 “This is the second new school we’ve added this year, so we’re very excited,” said Jessica Tritsch, program director, Reading to Kids.  “We’re at the point now where everyone at the schools and at the organization know exactly what need to be done to make the program launch a success." 

Leo Politi Elementary is located at 2481 West 11^th street in Los Angeles – an area where English is often spoken as a second language, if at all.  One of the goals of Reading to Kids, in addition to instilling strong reading habits, is to help increase young students’ comfort with English communication.

“In addition to reading aloud to the kids, we also do arts and craft projects with them,” explained Tritsch.  “We encourage our volunteers to keep the fun and conversation going during the art portion of the clubs, hoping to increase English fluency – if only a little bit.”

While students spend time reading and doing craft projects, parents are invited to attend the Parent Training program, where they, too, can work on their language skills.  The Parent Training program brings in local business and community leaders to give seminars on a wide range of topics, including finance, health, nutrition, literacy and even college prep topics.

“We’re looking forward to hopefully becoming part of the culture at the school,” continued Tritsch.  “Each time we go to a new school, it’s like adding new members to the family.”

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