Rotary Club honors outstanding student readers

PHOTO COURTESY DOWNEY UNIFIED

What wonderful table companions Rotary had April 16. Fifth grade readers, and a few third-graders from K-3 schools only, and their principals, shared lunch with us at the Rotary Club of Downey meeting. We met to honor their outstanding achievements in reading improvement.

One child was chosen to represent each of Downey 13 elementary schools. And what stories their principals had to tell when award time came.

At our table sat 10-year old Melanie Silva, with her Rio Hondo Principal Lisa Rawlings, quietly but elegantly dressed in black with pearl-embroidered sleeves. Young Melanie wore a pink and gray-striped top, and when asked, said her current favorite reading is “The Dork Diaries.” The series uses drawings, doodles, and comic strips to chronicle its middle school protagonist.

So glad that Melanie has progressed from serious “have to read” to reading for fun. Melanie has worked all year to raise her level four grades, despite having dyslexia, something she is an advocate for. Her writing, spelling and grammar have all also improved, due to her progress in reading.

Each child received a packet of new books tied with a blue bow, and Dr. Dan Fox stood by to take a picture to give each child, of themselves with their principal and Dr. John Garcia, superintendent of the Downey Unified School District.

It’s hands-on attention from Dr. John and everyone in the administration that makes this district so outstanding. The pride and self-esteem from an event like this will motivate these boys and girls for a long time to come.

“Joanna has moved up four reading levels, and embodies all the pillars of Character Counts,” said Principal David Cid of Rio San Gabriel about Joanna Diaz. “She asks thought-provoking questions and goes beyond what is expected.”

“Natzareth Ochoa has gone up nine levels in two years,” said her principal, Katherine Estevez of Gallatin. “That’s three grade levels. We know great things lie ahead for Natzareth.”

“Devon’s favorite thing is exploring non-fiction books,” said Williams Principal Gary Calvo. “At first he could not read well enough so he would listen on Epic. But eventually he got interested in topics that did not have ‘listening’ books. That motivated him to persevere and practice reading at a level that gave him new books to explore. Now he discusses the new things he’s read with his friends.”

“She’s a Lewis All-Star,” principal Allison Box said of Jessica Fodiles Sanchez. “Through her hard work, motivation and perseverance, she has made progress in academic and content abilities and raised her reading levels. Keep shining bright, Jessica.”

The boys wore fleecy jackets or sweaters because the day started out as a cool morning, and the girls wore jackets over their shirts. Teachers wore bright pastel sweaters or jackets, robin’s egg blue, lemon yellow, strawberry pink, dusty rose. One wore burgundy velvet with jeans.

Gone were the formal suits and almost party-dresses the children wore almost 30 years ago to this same Rotary event. We’re getting more informal as a society. Still, many girls had long brushed curls, and one boy had what might be described as a tall stand-up mullet – I’m a little behind on these terms. A few girls did wear dresses – a nice blue one with pink roses and a big sparkly pink bow in her hair.

All of the children were poised and enjoyed their visit, and Rio Hondo had set up a special buffet table for their lunch, chicken nuggets and crispy fries. Cookies were dessert for everyone.

Yahir Hipolito had a Rotary-assisted story, though he didn’t know it.

“Yahir had an amazing year in reading,” said his principal at Alameda, Charlene Shimada. “He began the year struggling academically. A new world opened up to him on receiving eyeglasses through the NuSkin Foundation.”

That’s the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation, partnered with CharityVision International Foundation, which provides vision care and eye glasses to needy school children through organizations like Downey’s TLC Family Resource Center, the recipient of Rotary’s gala fundraiser. That’s where our Rotary dollars go.

Said Darlene, “Yahir began to jump leaps and bounds in the areas of reading and math, and he went up 9 levels in reading. In one year. That’s awesome.”

“Thanks to Rotary,” said Dr. Garcia, who emceed the program, “for a day like this. We at the DUSD appreciate your constant support.”