“Club Read” Starts at Solvang Library

Local students are invited to join Club Read, which will meet from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month, February through May, at the Solvang Library, a branch of the Santa Barbara Public Library System, located at 1745 Mission Drive. High school students will plan and lead activities designed to help upper elementary students discover new reads, share their favorite titles with other readers, and enjoy fun book-related activities.

Comprised of students who want to make a difference in education and literacy, the SYHS Future Educators Association is the local high school’s newly-formed chapter of the national FEA organization. Many of the members are students enrolled in the Regional Occupation Program’s Introduction to Education class, where they learn the fundamentals of good teaching and intern in local classrooms. Peggy Kelly, who teaches the ROP Introduction to Education class as well as English at SYHS, says “Intro to Ed and FEA attract the best students on our campus. They are fun, open-minded, and unafraid. Some of them can’t wait to be teachers, while others just enjoy getting the chance to work with children. For most of them, going to their internships is their favorite part of the school day. Forming Club Read gives them an opportunity to plan educational activities and interact with students outside of a classroom.”

The club’s first task of the school year was raising money for a trip to the Disneyland Youth Education Series, where they will learn how California history can be taught through fun, hands-on activities. After raising over $1,000 through a car wash and holiday poinsettia sales, they are ready to turn their sights toward public service. “Our club’s goal is to benefit the students in our area by getting them motivated and enthusiastic about learning. We decided a book club is a fun way to make this goal a reality while not overwhelming the kids with a huge work load or time commitment,” says Mikey Feeley, FEA president. Working with the Solvang Library provides the opportunity to reach students throughout the valley. As some of the Future Educators already have a history of working at the library as Volunteens in the summer reading program, the role of literacy mentor is a natural fit.

Club Read will meet on February 2, March 2, April 6, and May 4 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. The Club is free to participants. For more information about Club Read, visit the Solvang Branch Library, call (805)688-4214, or see the library calendar at www.sbplibrary.org.