Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/9051
RAA Continued from page 29 to read with students. CTA Secretary-Treasurer Gail Mendes joined the Compton Education Associa- tion’s festivities, along with visiting televi- sion and movie celebrities, including Ra- chelle Lefevre of Twilight, Quinton Aaron • • • RAA partners helped to celebrate American Federation of Television and Radio Artists members visited local area schools in and around Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Fire Department sent engines and firefighters to schools across Los Angeles to read and donate books provided by RAA partner Barnes & Noble. The Los Angeles Kings sent their mascot Bailey and the Ice Crew to Mitchell Elementary in Lawndale for fun and reading. of The Blind Side, and Raven of “That’s So Raven.” Mendes also visited and read for students in the Inglewood Unified School District at Crozier Middle School and Payne Elementary School. To celebrate the book’s theme, members FINALLY – a fast, flexible way to earn professional development credit. Are you a gifted and talented education teacher looking for ways to increase your knowledge of current issues in GATE education while fostering your continuing education goals? UC Irvine Extension’s Online Gifted & Talented Education Mentorship is a convenient, independent study program that incorporates online meetings with assignments and field work – all under the guidance of a UC Irvine Extension- approved GATE mentor. Topics include current legislative and economic impacts on gifted programming as well as practical ideas for developing GATE programs in your school or district. Upon completion of the program, you will receive 1.5 continuing education units. This credit can also be applied toward UC Irvine Extension’s GATE Specialized Studies, a fully online, teacher-focused program aligned with CAG, NAGC and state standards of excellence. Learn more today – Enrollments accepted through March 31, 2010! extension.uci.edu/gate (949) 824-9427 ABOVE: Fullerton Elementary Teachers Association President Andy Montoya celebrates Read Across America reading to a kindergarten class at Commonwealth Elementary. of the Riverside City Teachers Association (RCTA) sponsored its second annual chili contest during their RAA event, with differ- ent chili recipes prepared by RCTA staff and leaders. At Sunset Lane Elementary in Fuller- ton, acclaimed children’s author John Ar- chambault of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and young adult fiction writer Mark Wil- liams of the Danger Boy series read to the students. President Sanchez had the pleasure of presenting Buena Vista Principal Larry Alegre with boxes of books for the school li- brary. “Despite massive state education fund- ing cuts to our classrooms,” said Sanchez, “California teachers every day inspire our students to see the importance of reading.” “Read Across America is important be- cause it emphasizes the importance of read- ing and serves kids who are being seriously betrayed by state government and funding,” said United Educators of San Francisco President Dennis Kelly, who attended the event with UESF Vice President Linda Plack. “Today is nice because we are giving them something.” SHERRY POSNICK-GOODWIN, DAVE EARL CARPENTER 38 California Educator | MARCH 2010 Photo courtesy of Fullerton Elementary Teachers Association