Rowland Elementary Opens Doors to Wonder of Reading Library Nov. 21

ROWLAND ELEMENTARY OPENS DOORS TO

WONDER OF READING LIBRARY NOV. 21

 

Modernization Efforts Include First Classroom Renovation Due to Measure R Bond

 

ROWLAND HEIGHTS, CA – NOVEMBER 17, 2008 – Call it an early Christmas present to the community of Rowland Elementary. After two years of planning, fundraising and modernization efforts to an entire wing of the school, the new “Wonder of Reading Library” will open its doors on Friday, November 21 at 10 a.m. The school raised more than $61,000 for their Wonder of Reading library. The new library was made possible with donations from many community sponsors and funds from the Measure R Bond.

            “Our staff and community are thrilled about the long awaited opening of our beautiful new library where our students can enhance their love of books, life and learning,” said Rowland Elementary Principal, Sandy Johnson. “We are so grateful to everyone -- parents, students, staff, kind strangers, and the Wonder of Reading --  for their support.”

Doubling in size, the new library features more than $10,000 worth of new books, a mini amphitheatre for storytelling, cozy reading areas, new furniture and three computer research stations.

            The entire wing of the school’s building was renovated during the process and it is the District’s first modernized classroom due to the Measure R Bond. The classroom features new carpet, ceilings, lighting, painting, and technology for computers, windows, doors, electrical and air-conditioning upgrades. A new “Learning Wall” holds storage and technology equipment and tackable classroom walls.

     

                The partnership with Wonder of Reading was made possible by a generous donation by Wells Fargo Bank.

 “Wells Fargo is thrilled to provide this gift to The Wonder of Reading -- an organization that works tirelessly to improve our society by inspiring in children a love of reading,” said Jason Williams, Wells Fargo Private Bank regional sales manager and Wonder of Reading board member. “By offering this investment, Wells Fargo is fulfilling its vision to support the communities it serves. Our hope is that the students of Rowland Elementary School will further excel in their studies in their newly renovated and expanded library.”

      Rowland Elementary is actively looking for reading volunteers with students. The training date will be February 5, 2009. If you are interested in becoming a Wonder of Reading Volunteer or would like to make a donation to the ongoing fundraising efforts for Rowland Elementary, please contact Principal Sandy Johnson at (626) 964-3441. The school is located at 2036 S. Fullerton Road in Rowland Heights.

            The Wonder of Reading has been inspiring in children the love of reading since 1994. During this time they have played a key role in opening nearly 200 new libraries in public elementary schools in the greater Los Angeles area as well as training over 4,000 volunteers and family members to read one-on-one with children each week. In 2008, more than 130,000 children are enrolled in The Wonder of Reading partner schools. Additionally, Wonder of Reading youngsters benefit from new libraries the organization has helped renovate and restock. To donate and learn more about The Wonder of Reading, please visit: www.wonderofreading.org

The Rowland Unified School District is proud to serve 17,500 students at 23 elementary and secondary schools in the communities of Rowland Heights, Walnut, La Puente, City of Industry, and West Covina. Thanks to community support, the Measure R Bond will provide $118 million to continue to modernize and improve classrooms and schools.  For more information about Rowland Unified, call (626) 965-2541 or visit www.RowlandSchools.org.

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