March 21, 2018 (SAN FRANCISCO & LOS ANGELES) — The Jumpstart California offices have been celebrating the start of spring with different literacy fairs and events for the local communities. This gives us the chance to distribute books and take home activities to children in the community, and show families the joys of learning and literacy. Being able to bridge adult volunteers to communities in their city is one of the most special parts of community events. Check out some of our recent literacy celebrations below!
Pacoima Branch Library Literacy Fair
Last month Jumpstart hosted a Library Literacy Fair at the Los Angeles Library’s Pacoima Branch. A few days prior to the fair, California State University Northridge Jumpstart Corps members and members of Northridge’s Child and Adolescent Development Association created literacy kits, activity materials, and decorations for the fair.
At the fair, volunteers read to children, and families could choose from four theme-related activities to complete after the read aloud of A Letter to Amy. Children also each received a book and literacy kit to take home with them after the event. This winter literacy fair was a great success and we want to thank the Pacoima Branch for hosting!
LAEP Annual Health Fair
Jumpstart participated in Los Angeles Education Partnership’s (LAEP) annual health fair, held at the 75th Street Elementary School. Children and families joined Jumpstart volunteers in our ‘reading garden,’ for read alouds and fun, reading-themed activities.
The volunteers, many from Molina’s Helping Hands, helped children design their own bookmarks, write a story, and create a collage on healthy and unhealthy foods. Each child also received a book and literacy kit to take home with them. Special thanks to our volunteers and LAEP for inviting us to join this year’s fair!
Read Across America Day at Portola Branch Library
Last week, Jumpstart’s San Francisco office celebrated Read Across America Day with a fun literacy day at the San Francisco Public Library’s Portola Branch for over 80 local preschoolers. Librarian, Nicole Termini Germain, read Eric Carle’s The Tiny Seed, and Jumpstart staff and Corps members from San Francisco State University facilitated activities about seeds, plants, and growth. One of the activities included exploring the library’s garden with the senses — smelling, touching, and even tasting some plants! Each child left with a book and a kit to grow their own bean sprouts at home. Special thanks to the Portola Branch for hosting us and our young readers!
San Francisco Spring Literacy Celebration
Earlier this month, Jumpstart’s San Francisco office planned a Spring Literacy Celebration with past program partner, Portola Family Connections. A preschool classroom and their families enjoyed a read aloud of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar by volunteer Caroline Moody. Classroom teachers also reread the book in Spanish and Cantonese to their dual language students. After the read aloud, Jumpstart staff led a discussion about healthy foods based on the items featured in the book, and helped children with story-inspired activities like drawing butterflies and antennae, crawling through tunnels like bugs, and a fun butterfly dance party!
San Francisco Summer Resource Fair
Last week, Jumpstart’s San Francisco office also participated in the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and Families Summer Resource Fair. Over 2,000 families attend the fair each year to learn about summer programs, activities, and other city-wide initiatives. Jumpstart was excited to attend the fair for the first time as an exhibitor, speaking with families about the importance of early literacy during the summer and how to navigate days without school. Staff passed out “Tips for Reading with Children” bookmarks and “5 Green and Speckled Frogs” puppets and lyrics. Families also had the chance to win an alphabet floor puzzle, Lego® set or other prize when they they followed one of Jumpstart’s social media channels! Stay tuned for our tips on summer reading and activities in a few months when school ends!
Jumpstart is dedicated to shining a spotlight on early literacy and reading together, both in the classroom and in the community — thank you to all of the Corps members, staff, local community organizations, and families who made these events such great successes!
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