Coordinator's Column

Dear Tutors and Students,

Summer is in full swing, and I hope everyone is able to slow down and enjoy the long days and warm nights. Although some of our regular programs ended in June and begin again in September (Angel in-school tutoring, Families for Literacy and the ESL classes), we still have plenty to keep you involved. For tutors, we have two informative workshop scheduled: Teaching Writing Skills and Spelling, Tuesday, July 20, 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Using Newspapers to Teach, Wednesday, August 18, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Both will be held in the FLAIR computer lab. Call or stop by the office to sign up. For new tutors training sessions are scheduled for July 21 and 28 from 6-8 p.m. Please encourage your friends to sign up and become FLAIR tutors. Current tutors are welcome to attend the sessions for a refresher. For adult students, the book club discussion group will continue through the summer every other Thursday, as will FFL's special summer programs. (The Computer Lab is open regular hours, year round.) So that's the scoop for FLAIR this summer. Enjoy this edition of the FLAIR/FFL newsletter. As always, we appreciate the dedication of our tutors, who truly make a difference in the lives of Santa Paulans.

Happy Reading!
-Kathryn

WELCOME NEW TUTORS

We would like to WELCOME the following new volunteer tutors who have completed their training sessions, they are:

Rose Chacon
Marizza Lopez
Trina Nagele

Great to have you on the literacy team!

We would like to wish the following volunteer tutors a very happy birthday:

3/9 Laura Wilson 3/31 Pam Pond	4/1 Victoria Kelly 4/6 Loree Garibay 4/9 Richard Abbott 4/13 Elizabeth Sandoval 4/17 Vic Lopez 4/19 Herbert Nieto
5/17 Trina Nagele 5/20 Ellen Appel 5/21 Christine Robert	6/1 Rosa Alamillo
	7/2 Laurie Frost 7/14 Marilyn Wolever 7/17 Thea Seto 7/20 Madeline Ricards 7/31 Susan Alvarez
8/1 Chuck Molnar 8/12 Diane Fleckenstein 8/28 Susan Johnson

Calendar of Events

FLAIR 525-2384

Library 525-3615

FLAIR -	Adult Literacy Program: Office/Computer Hrs. Monday - Thursday 12:30-4:00 p.m. & 5:00-8:00 p.m.
FFL -	Call for special summer program dates and times.
ESL -	Next scheduled session begins September 27, 2004.

TEEN SCENE -	Two Thursdays per month. Call library for dates.
STORY HOUR -	Wednesdays - 10:30 a.m. in the Children's Room.

TUTORS
Love to read, want to lead? The book club is looking for a volunteer facilitator on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Training is provided. Flexible format. Leaders can rotate their time at the start of each new book title, if more than one tutor volunteers. Contact Kathryn for more information.

Try it, you'll like it!

BRAVO TO:

     - Alicia Flores (tutor Chuck Molnar) has finished Voyager 4 and is in book 5!

     - Luis Hernandez (tutor Richard Halpin) just started Challenger book 4!

     - Araceli Zamora (tutor Susan Alvarez) has moved up to Challenger book 3!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

     - Rose Chacon for her donation of classroom supplies for the ESL classes.

     - Beatriz Vargas for her donation of folders to Families For Literacy.

     - George Appel for donating 10% of the sale from his artwork!

CONGRATULATIONS

     - Eniko Timar for receiving her CNA certificate from Ventura College!

SPELLING BEE
Thank you to everyone who helped with the Spelling Bee. In addition to having a lot of fun we raised $3,800 for FLAIR/FFL programs. Destiny Porter did a great job as "the Bee girl." Didn't she look bee-utiful!

Families For Literacy
June 24th was our last regular class until September 30th. Three prizes for reading were awarded and every child received a book bag, gift book, and cassette to keep. Awards and prizes for checking out and reading the most number of library books went to:

1st place Roberto Vargas 72 library books
2nd place Cytlali Salgado 48 library books
3rd place (tie) Jennifer Jasmeen Lopez 40 books
Julie Vargas 40 library books

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May
     Yasmin Lopex -- 3 yrs.
     Jennifer Lopez -- 6 yrs.
     Gabriel Ovalle -- 7 yrs.
     Rodolfo Ponce -- 7 yrs.
     Ricardo Ponce -- 6 yrs.
     Danna Montoya -- 7 yrs.
     Jonathan Magana -- 5 yrs.
     Julie Vargas -- 8 yrs.

June
     Yahaira Andrade -- 4 yrs.
     Cytlali Salgado -- 5 yrs.
     Cassandra Bonfil -- 7 yrs.
     Luis Cabrerra -- 8 yrs.
     Taisha Rivera -- 3 yrs.

July
     Roberto Vargas -- 6 yrs.
     Ali Khan -- 5 yrs.
     Manuel Vargas -- 6 yrs.
August
     Mireille Vargas -- 5 yrs.
     Alexis Nieves -- 7 yrs.
     Anas Khan -- 8 yrs.
     Catalina Coles -- 3 yrs.
     Hillary Delgado -- 8 yrs.

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One sure thing about our literacy families is they love to read! Recently, some of our families also took the NO TV Challenge and Turned Off the televisions.

The Hernandez family completed the entire week of National Turn- Off the TV Challenge! Here are just some of the things that 6 year old Jasmin and her family did together: swimming, basketball, clean the garage, cooking, wash the car, color, read books and found a bunny. Congratulations!

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The Vargas family took the No TV Challenge for 6 1/2 days! Instead of watching t.v. this is what 6 year old Roberto and his family did: went to the library, went golfing, worked outside, played on the scooter, practiced with leap frog pad, colored and played cards. Congratulations!

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The Gonzales family survived the No T.V. Challenge for 1 1/2 days. This is what 4 year old Jazmin and her family did together: had a picnic on the beach, fed the birds, visited friends, went to the zoo and had breakfast at Grandmother's house. Congratulations!

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FFL families had fun "baking" cookies and cake with play dough.

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"Scientist" Lee from Mad Science demonstrated the difference in size and shape of prehistoric dinosaurs. Families were able to act as Paleontologists by cleaning fossils and constructing models from dinosaur bones. Each participant made a replica in cement of a dinosaur tooth and took it home. On July 22nd Mad Science presented a program on Slime! Everybody had a chance to play with their own ooy, gooy, slippery slime. The program was for the whole family to attend together. Special programs in August were Soccer and pizza night and Hawaiian dance Party.

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Writing Contest

Eniko Timar entered the State Library Writer to Writer contest this year. Her tutor was Irene Hess. She received a certificate of participation signed by State Librarian Dr. Kevin Starr. Asked if she'll enter again next year, Eniko said, "I'm going to do it. I want to try again".

Three Cheers for Volunteers!

Our FLAIR volunteer Appreciation Reception was well attended in April. Here are some interesting facts about Volunteers in the U.S. (provided by the Gallup Organization) How do you compare?

WHO? An estimated 109 million adults aged 18 and over volunteered in 1995. Eighty million adults volunteered in 1987.

The 109 million adult volunteers gave a total of 19.9 billion hours during 1998, an average of 3.5 hours a week.

Women volunteer more than men (62% vs. 49%), however men who volunteered gave more time than women (3.6 hours vs. 3.4 hours).

Thirteen million teens, more than half of America's teen population (59%) volunteered in 1995 (latest available statistics)). They gave an estimated 3.5 hours per week, totaling 2.4 billion hours of volunteer time. (Source: Independent Sector)

WHY? More than eight out of 10 people (86%) said they volunteered because they felt compassion for those in need. Nearly three-fourths of the respondents (72%) volunteered because they has an interest in the activity or work, and 70% volunteered to gain a new perspective on things.

VALUE   In 1987, total volunteer efforts were worth $149 billion; the assigned hourly value was $10.06.

Our FLAIR Volunteers, however, are priceless!
Thank you to Susan Branham for all of her help with the reception!

Jeanne San Carlo Says Goodbye to FLAIR
By Susan Branham

Jeanne San Carlo took an unexpected walk down memory lane last week. When she arrived at the Blanchard Community Library for her weekly book discussion class, she was surprised to find a party instead. Friends and students came to say thank you, and say goodbye.

San Carlo, who has served as a volunteer tutor, book discussion class leader, and director of the FLAIR/FFL library literacy program, is leaving Santa Paula to live with her family on a ranch in the San Luis Obispo area.

The community of Santa Paula has honored Jeanne many times. Her accomplishments have made her the subject of numerous newspaper articles.

She was named women of Distinction by Soroptimist International of Santa Paula, and was recipient of Human Rights award from Baha'is of Ventura County.

Her awards include the appreciation of her students. They brought gifts and a dinner of tri-tip, homemade tamales and other delectables. While they dined together, they feasted on their recent book discussion selection, My Invented Country by Isabel Allende.

Book class member Eniko enjoyed the discussion class. "It was wonderful," she said. "Her questions made you think. She was really helpful. We had the "living dictionary" here. We have the best classics, the newest books available for us."

"Without doubt, Jeanne has been more than a teacher for me, and I really appreciate all of her help," student Sandra said. "She's an inspiration for me."

"The classroom is empty, her place still the same, her image bigger than ever. I'll miss you," said student Francisco.

Jeanne once said that reading is the first path to lifelong learning. The book discussion class will continue at the library, and Jeanne hopes more people will join. "Take a step into joining the group," she said. "Receive a book and read at you own pace. You're missing something if you don't come into this group. It is a super opportunity."

Giving to the community is also a gift received. "Thank you, all of you, for me it has been a privilege and honor to share this time with you," Jeanne said.

"We share time together and we share information and we share language. Every time I've tutored or worked with any of you, my life has been enriched. You tell me something about your country, your life, and your ambition. It's enriching, that's all there is to it."

A Tribute To Jeanne

I have been in American since long ago, but the same as many immigrants I didn't think seriously about learning English. The same as man, I was satisfied having a job, a job which allowed me to pay the rent of my place, enough money to buy food, and enough money to pay the demanding repairs of our old little gray car. Compared with what I had in my country, it was more than enough to be content. That is what I thought, then. By chance, I knew about the FLAIR Program. I read it on a press clipping which was glued on the wall of a local laundromat. Later I went to the library and Barbara added my name to the waiting list. After a short time, she called me to set up an appointment with the person, who would be my tutor. This way I knew Jeanne San Carlo, a wonderful, compassionate, generous human being. At that time I was working in the night shift and I was expecting my son. Our class was during the mornings. I guess that often I went to our session, tired, disheveled and bleary eyed. But one she started talking her energy and vivacity were transmitted to me. There wasn't a boring class. She managed in every way possible (body languages and grimacing) in order to make me understand every word. Eventually, my son was born, and came with serious health problems. I can't be grateful enough to thank her about how she helped me to realize the great gift that life was giving me. After the personal struggles, some days she asked me about my goal or purpose studying. Sincerely I felt overwhelmed with the question. Then, I couldn't see myself as something else than a wife and mother. She explained me the importance of visualizing what we want in order to succeed. For some time, I couldn't answer, but I promised her to be thinking about that. I guess that I had a not strong self-esteem, and overcome it wasn't easy. In the meantime, Sociology was flirting in my mind, but fear about failing and putting me in such challenge were preventing me from saying it aloud. Teacher Jeanne believed in me more than I did it myself. Most of the time, she remarked and praised my strong abilities. It made me feel good and encouraged me wanted to be a social worker.When I mentioned that I was ready , that my mind was clear about sociology, she was happy. I immediately she sent me to Ventura College to take classes there. Since then I'm studying hard, and I know that someday I will be reaching my diploma. Without doubt, Jeanne has been more that a teacher for me, and I really appreciate all of her help. She's an inspiration for me.

-S. N.

One of her students speaks for us all He writes:

The classroom is empty, her place still the same, her image bigger than ever. I'll miss you.

- F. H.

TUTORS
Did You Know?

California Literacy offers an online Tutor Tips e-newsletter. The newsletter's summer theme is Phonemic Awareness and Spelling. To receive the tips or to offer your own suggestions e-mail Celina Martinez at celinamartinez@caliteracy.org.

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THANK YOU!
Thank you tutors for updating the roles and goals forms with your students and getting them to me by June 30th . We had 100% participation by all tutors/students who were due for their 6 month re-evaluation!

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GET WELL SOON!
Wishing a speedy recovery to Madeline Ricards. Your reading group is lost without you!

Hurry back!

mlb -- 9/7/04

-	Alicia Flores (tutor Chuck Molnar) has finished Voyager 4 and is in book 5!
-	Luis Hernandez (tutor Richard Halpin) just started Challenger book 4!
-	Araceli Zamora (tutor Susan Alvarez) has moved up to Challenger book 3!

-	Rose Chacon for her donation of classroom supplies for the ESL classes.
-	Beatriz Vargas for her donation of folders to Families For Literacy.
-	George Appel for donating 10% of the sale from his artwork!

May Yasmin Lopex -- 3 yrs. Jennifer Lopez -- 6 yrs. Gabriel Ovalle -- 7 yrs. Rodolfo Ponce -- 7 yrs. Ricardo Ponce -- 6 yrs. Danna Montoya -- 7 yrs. Jonathan Magana -- 5 yrs. Julie Vargas -- 8 yrs.	June Yahaira Andrade -- 4 yrs. Cytlali Salgado -- 5 yrs. Cassandra Bonfil -- 7 yrs. Luis Cabrerra -- 8 yrs. Taisha Rivera -- 3 yrs.
July Roberto Vargas -- 6 yrs. Ali Khan -- 5 yrs. Manuel Vargas -- 6 yrs.	August Mireille Vargas -- 5 yrs. Alexis Nieves -- 7 yrs. Anas Khan -- 8 yrs. Catalina Coles -- 3 yrs. Hillary Delgado -- 8 yrs.

WHO?	An estimated 109 million adults aged 18 and over volunteered in 1995. Eighty million adults volunteered in 1987. The 109 million adult volunteers gave a total of 19.9 billion hours during 1998, an average of 3.5 hours a week. Women volunteer more than men (62% vs. 49%), however men who volunteered gave more time than women (3.6 hours vs. 3.4 hours). Thirteen million teens, more than half of America's teen population (59%) volunteered in 1995 (latest available statistics)). They gave an estimated 3.5 hours per week, totaling 2.4 billion hours of volunteer time. (Source: Independent Sector)
WHY?	More than eight out of 10 people (86%) said they volunteered because they felt compassion for those in need. Nearly three-fourths of the respondents (72%) volunteered because they has an interest in the activity or work, and 70% volunteered to gain a new perspective on things.
VALUE	In 1987, total volunteer efforts were worth $149 billion; the assigned hourly value was $10.06.