To kick off the inaugural “Gift a Kid a Book” campaign, First 5 turned San Bernardino Kordyak Elementary School in Fontana into a winter wonderland on Wednesday, November 30th.
Complete with real snow, lights and a visit from Santa and his sleigh, about 200 preschoolers and kindergarteners enjoyed story time and more.
First 5 San Bernardino hopes to encourage parents and caregivers to give the gift of books to young children this holiday season. According to the organization, reading plays an important role in brain development, 90% of which occurs in the first five years of a child’s life.
Kindergarten students at Kordyak Elementary School make snow angels during Gift A Kid A Book and Snow Day at Fontana School on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. First 5 San Bernardino kicked off the inaugural Gift A Kid A Book campaign on Wednesday by transforming the school’s playground into a winter wonderland complete with real snow, holiday decorations and holiday cheer. (Photo: Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Kordyak Elementary Kindergartner Ruby Parker, left, 6, shows her fellow students how surprised they are when they spot Santa at the Gift A Kid A Book and Snow Day at Fontana School Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo: Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin /SCNG)
Kordyak Elementary Kindergartner Giuliana Serrano, left, 4, throws a snowball at a classmate during Gift A Kid A Book and Snow Day at Fontana School Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo: Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/ SCNG)
Karen Scott, manager at First 5 San Bernardino, helps Levi Franco, 5, with his book selection at Kordyak Elementary School during Gift A Kid A Book and Snow Day at Fontana School on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo: Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/ SCNG)
Santa reads The Night Before Christmas to students at Kordyak Elementary School during Gift A Kid A Book and Snow Day at Fontana School on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo: 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 Fontana School on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo: Will Lester, Inland) Valley Daily Bulletin/ SCNG)
Santa reads The Night Before Christmas to students at Kordyak Elementary School during Gift A Kid A Book and Snow Day at Fontana School on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo: Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Kindergartners at Kordyak Elementary School throw snowballs into the air during Gift A Kid A Book and Snow Day at Fontana School on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo: Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Eli Garcia, 5, a kindergartener at Kordyak Elementary School, builds a snowman at Gift A Kid A Book and Snow Day at Fontana School on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo: Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Kordyak Elementary Kindergartner Ruby Parker, center, 6, shows her fellow students how surprised they are when they spot Santa during Gift A Kid A Book and Snow Day at Fontana School on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo: 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 succeed in this world, I can think of no more important gift than reading to pass on 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 put books in the hands of kids and families who want them, the agency said in a news release.
