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Reading event to benefit school libraries

The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation (SVEF) will host Stories for Students, a reading event to benefit Sonoma’s public elementary school libraries, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Sonoma Plaza Amphitheater.

During the morning, special guests will be reading children’s stories aloud, including Dr. Charles DeTorres, a pediatrician; Sam Turner, a firefighter; Bob Gossett, a music teacher; Tony Fucile, an author and animator; Nicole Abate-Ducorroz, a school board member; a police officer and more.

Admission is free for the event and donations will be accepted.

Stories for Students is part of an effort by Parent Teacher Organizations and the SVEF to reinstate library hours at the Sonoma public elementary schools and support literacy at local public charter schools by sponsoring the event readers. In general, the 25 percent cut to elementary libraries this year has resulted in fewer hours of library time for each elementary student in the district and resulted in overworked library staff.

“Reading is the most important skill in early childhood learning and we want to do all we can to encourage and promote a love of reading and the presence of books in every child’s home as much as we can. The PTO’s are taking an important stand to help our libraries and we are grateful for their leadership,” said Laura Zimmerman, SVEF executive director.

Sign-up forms are available at each elementary school for folks who would like to be guest readers during the event. Donations will be accepted during the event or can be made online at svgreatschools.com.

Since 1993, the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation has raised more than $5 million for the public schools in Sonoma Valley. The purpose of the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation is to make sure every student graduates well prepared for college, career and civic responsibility. SVEF supports local schools by funding excellent programs aimed at raising student achievement and creating a generation of students who love to learn. Currently the foundation funds the Exploratorium Science Program and the Visual Thinking Strategies Art Program in five local elementary schools, plus Preschool for All at El Verano School, the Teacher Support Network at Sonoma Valley High School and the district-wide School Garden program.

Visit the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation online at svgreatschools.org or call 935-9566 for more information.