Third Annual Family Literacy Day March 28

FALLBROOK — As March 31 is the official state holiday recognizing the contributions of Cesar E. Chavez, the late labor and civil rights leader, Fallbrook will celebrate the legacy of Chavez on March 28 by conducting the Third Annual Fallbrook A Leer/Reading Family Literacy Day at Maie Ellis auditorium from 9 to 11 a.m.

The event encourages reading as a family activity. Research shows that children who are read to at home perform much better in their academics at school and are more likely to maintain a love of reading as a lifelong practice.

Fallbrook A Leer/Reading also emphasizes community service as an important aspect of maintaining healthy and safe neighborhoods.

Sixth grade students from La Paloma and Live Oak elementary schools and students from Potter Junior High School and Fallbrook High School will be volunteering at the event in a variety of ways.

Members of the community and Fallbrook Union Elementary School District will also be volunteering, as many have been doing for the past several weeks in preparation for the event.

More than 200 children and their parents are expected to participate in the free event, which will include workshops for parents in English and Spanish and a story circuit for children, which consists of four different stories read to groups of children by 35 volunteer guest readers.

Each family will receive a free book about Cesar Chavez and children can choose two to three more books from hundreds donated by organizations and individuals.

The San Diego County Library Bookmobile will be on hand to conduct tours and inform the public on library services and issuing library cards.

Children from preschool through fifth grade are invited to attend this fun and educational event. Families are encouraged to register through their schools. Space is limited.

For more information on volunteering or donating to the 2009 Fallbrook A Leer/Reading Family Literacy Day, call Leticia Maldonado/Stamos at Live Oak Elementary School at (760) 731-4430.