To kickoff the inaugural “Gift a Kid a Book” campaign, First 5 San Bernardino transformed Kordyak Elementary School in Fontana into a winter wonderland Wednesday, Nov. 30.
Complete with real snow, lights, and a visit from Santa Claus and his sleigh, about 200 preschool andkindergarteners enjoyed story time and more.
First 5 San Bernardino hopes to encourage parents and caregivers to to give books as gifts to young children this holiday season. According to the agency, reading plays a critical role in brain development, 90% of which happens in the first five years of a child’s life.
Kindergartners at Kordyak Elementary School make snow angels during Gift A Kid A Book and snow day at the Fontana school Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. First 5 San Bernardino kicked off its inaugural Gift A Kid A Book campaign Wednesday by transforming the school’s playground into a winter wonderland complete with real snow, holiday decorations, and festive cheer. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Kordyak Elementary School kindergartner Ruby Parker, center left, 6, shows her surprise with fellow students as they spot Santa Claus during Gift A Kid A Book and snow day at the Fontana school Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Kordyak Elementary School preschooler Giuliana Serrano, left, 4, tosses a snowball at a fellow classmate during Gift A Kid A Book and snow day at the Fontana school Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Karen Scott, Executive Director at First 5 San Bernardino, assists Levi Franco, 5, with his book selections at Kordyak Elementary School during Gift A Kid A Book and snow day at the Fontana school Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Santa Claus reads The Night Before Christmas to students at Kordyak Elementary School during Gift A Kid A Book and snow day at the Fontana school Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Kordyak Elementary School kindergartners Aaliyah Ramos, left, 5, and Anaya Ariza, right, 6, build a snowman during Gift A Kid A Book and snow day at the Fontana school Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Santa Claus reads The Night Before Christmas to students at Kordyak Elementary School during Gift A Kid A Book and snow day at the Fontana school Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A Kordyak Elementary School kindergartner tosses a snowball into the air during Gift A Kid A Book and snow day at the Fontana school Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Kordyak Elementary School kindergartner Eli Garcia, 5, builds a snowman during Gift A Kid A Book and snow day at the Fontana school Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Kordyak Elementary School kindergartner Ruby Parker, center right, 6, shows her surprise with fellow students as they spot Santa Claus during Gift A Kid A Book and snow day at the Fontana school Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
“ ‘Gift a Kid a Book’ is a wonderful opportunity to reinforce the joy and value of reading with our youth,” First 5 San Bernardino Executive Director Karen Scott said in a news release. “To help our children find success in this world, I can’t think of a more important gift than reading to pass down to the next generation.”
As part of the “Gift a Kid a Book” campaign, First 5 San Bernardino is also going out into the community to bring books into the hands of kids and families who want them, the agency said in a news release.
To learn more about the program and for tips on building a home library, visit First5SanBernardino.org/reading.