Los Angeles Unified School District board member Yolie Flores Aguilar visited three Southeast area elementary schools last week to present checks to fund school-driven literacy projects.

The projects, including a library upgrade and literacy gardens, are part of Flores Aguilar’s efforts to support students in becoming proficient readers through a variety of strategies, including the use of space and facilities through bond funds, an LAUSD representative said.

Flores Aguilar presented $250,000 for the Literacy Garden project at Miles Elementary, 6720 Miles Ave., in Huntington Park; $102,700 for a bigger school library at Pacific Boulevard Elementary School; 2660 East 57th St., in Huntington Park; and $96,007 for an outdoor literacy garden at Corona Elementary School., 3825 Bell Ave. in Bell.

“Of all the predictors that foretell school success, there is none more powerful and revealing than a student’s ability to read at grade level,” Flores Aguilar said.
“Third grade reading scores are an early warning signal and with only 30 percent of our students reading at grade level, literacy must be our focus. I am delighted to be able to support school-driven facilities projects that focus on improving literacy.”

“It is great to have Ms. Flores Aguilar contribute such a large amount to fund our literacy garden at Miles,” Principal Pamela Robertson said. “This gesture sends a message to the community that literacy is important and is a priority for our students. Our students are aware of the lack of book stores in our area and they are tremendously excited to have a safe, nurturing place to escape into their favorite books.”

“The relocation and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades project will allow the library to be moved to a bigger site to accommodate more students with special needs, including students using wheelchairs and walkers, and to stock more books for children to check out during the week and on weekends,” Pacific Boulevard School Principal Gabriel Duran said.

“The literacy garden will unify the look of the school, and provide a shaded area for students to read and study outside,” Corona Avenue Elementary Street Principal Jack Baumann said. “It also ties into the original function of the school, as it was envisioned as an indoor/outdoor learning environment to take advantage of the Southern California climate.”