Thursday, October 14, 2010

Back to School: Sept/Oct 2010 Saturday Reading Clubs & "ALL THAT JAZZ" Fundraiser!

We hope everyone had a safe and relaxing summer!  While KRS’ students were on summer break, our Advisory Board planned and prepared for an exciting slate of programs for the 2010-2011 academic year.  This year, we’re looking forward to not only expanding our program to impact more youth in our community but also engaging our students to look at literacy in a different light with new hands-on and special themed projects in the areas of science, cooking, financial literacy, the law, and more.

September 11, 2010 KRS Saturday Reading Program
With the start of the Fall season, KRS’ Saturday reading programs resumed in September.  The kids had a great time catching up with our volunteers and telling us about the books they read over the summer. After reading with our volunteers, the kids then decorated their reading binders which will contain KRS reading assessment worksheets they will complete for each book they read.


 "All That Jazz!" Fundraiser (Sept. 30, 2010)

On September 30, 2010, KRS held its very first fundraiser titled “ALL THAT JAZZ!” at Red White + Bluezz restaurant in Pasadena.  And what a blast it was!  Thank you to all our friends and supporters for donating to KRS’ cause and coming out to the fundraiser. A major thank you, in particular, to our donors who are listed here.  Over 80 of you came out and participated in our silent auction/opportunity drawing, and thanks to you, KRS raised more than $3,000 in one evening! These funds will be instrumental in helping us purchase books, reading software, and supplies for KRS’ kids.  We cannot thank you enough for all your support.


October 2, 2010 KRS Saturday Reading Program

In October, we kicked off the first of many exciting hands-on and themed reading projects that KRS has planned for the year.  Dr. Allan Wong, KRS’ Technology co-chair and a scientist at Cal Tech, prepared a science module for slime – just in time for Halloween!  The kids had to read the science module and using the materials provided, use their analytical and reading comprehension skills to work through the module and create the slime!  We can honestly say that the kids – and volunteers! – had a fantastic time with this project, and the kids learned that literacy is important not just abstractly but practically, in creating something and in understanding science.  

We would also like to thank the Junior League of Pasadena for donating the materials for the project and for bringing refreshments for the kids, as well as volunteering with us.  Additionally, we would like to extend a thank you to the Walt Disney Company for donating backpacks and school supplies for the KRS students (see photos below). Please tune in next month to get an update on another exciting holiday fundraiser we have planned, as well as the November Saturday reading program which will feature chef/blogger Caitlin Wheeler, who will talk to the kids about how important literacy is to the practical life activity of cooking!  The kids will read recipes and learn how to make a simple dish or two.  If you are interested in volunteering, please go to our Get Involved page and RSVP for our November reading program. 

Until next time, happy reading!


Executive Directors,
Kids Reading to Succeed


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