Rec N' Read camps get a boost from BC Hydro

Rec N' Read camps get a boost from BC Hydro
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 19, 2003


B.C. Hydro community relations has given $1,750 to help keep a unique reading program alive in Burnaby schools.

The money will help the school district's summer Rec 'n' Read program, which provides an special 16-day intensive reading program to 140 recent Grade 1 graduates from the city's seven community schools.

Students spend their mornings in activities such as shared reading, choral reading, interactive writing and independent reading to an adult, and then get to spend their afternoon playing in a summer day camp. Rec 'n' Read programs are targeted at children who are believed to be at-risk in their reading development.

"Burnaby school district is taking a proactive approach to provide support for struggling readers," said Terry Parson, B.C. Hydro community relations manager. "This will be a lifelong benefit to both students and the community."

Wendy Borelli, community school co-ordinator at Stride Avenue community school, said early intervention programs are absolutely essential in making sure students complete elementary school with adequate reading skills.

While the program does require a small fee, children from low- income families are elgible for subsidies.

DAY-CARE CASH

The B.C. Liberals are doling out some cash to help keep a couple of local day-care centres up and operating in good condition.

Earlier this month, John Nuraney, the Willingdon MLA, gave $4,000 to the BCIT Child Care Centre, to resolve "numerous challenges" related to repairs and renovations.

Just days later, Patty Sahota, the Edmonds MLA, handed a $1,580.08 cheque to South Burnaby Neighbourhood House recently to buy a refrigerator for the Stride Ave. Neighbourhood Care Program.

Both cheques were provided under the Child Care Capital Funding program, one of several by the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services, to support the government's commitment to encourage the expansion of safe, affordable child care.

In the accompanying press release, the government says it hopes to increase from 45,000 to 70,000 the number or child-care spaces eligible for operating funds.

HEFTY HELP

The Burnaby-based B.C. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association pulled out the big cheque book recently when they donated a whopping $23,224.40 to B.C. Children's Hospital.

The funds, which mark the third year in a row the group has been able to donate over $20,000 to the hospital, were raised during the association's 34th annual Ivan Hanchard Charity Golf Tournament.

"Our members are really proud to be helping out the kids and families in their communities," said association president Jack Davidson.

GET WELL SOON

Best wishes go out to CUPE B.C. president Barry O'Neill, who is recovering in Vancouver General Hospital after a car accident while travelling to work earlier this month.

While the injuries are not life-threatening - minor head and leg injuries, including a broken nose - O'Neill will be taking at least two weeks away from his duties at the CUPE regional offices in the Deer Lake office complex, across from Burnaby city hall. O'Neill's big campaign these days is against using private-public partnerships on any government projects.

KINGSTON GRADS

B.C. deputy premier and education minister Christy Clark was the guest of honour when Kingston College, which has a campus on Holdom Avenue in Burnaby, held its spring graduation ceremonies.

"This day marks a significant achievement, and you should be very proud of reaching this milestone in life," Clark said.

told the graduates. "You are now well prepared to explore the many opportunities available in our global marketplace."

Kingston College has campuses in Vancouver, Toronto and Niagara Falls and specializes in programs for international students who come from countries as diverse as China, Korea, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Taiwan and South America.

SFU'S FINE FELLOWS

A trio of SFU faculty members were recently elected as fellows to the Royal Society of Canada, considered one of the most prestigious academic accolades in the country.

The honourees are:

Historian Jack Little, whose groundbreaking revisionist studies looked at the links between the Eastern townships of Quebec with Scotland and New England.

Biologist Mark Winston who is one of the world's most renowned experts on bees and the author of Travels in the Genetically Modified Zone; and

Chemist Mario Pinto whose molecular research led to the discovery of a new method of controlling adult onset type II diabetes.

The three are among 60 researchers across the country who will be inducted into the society in November.