FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2008

LADWP RECOGNIZES STUDENTS FOR READING IMPROVEMENT 
Union Avenue Students Honored at Reading Olympics Event

WHAT: 
Students in first, second and third grades will be honored with ribbons and medals, like Olympic winners, but for the greatest improvement in reading within their respective classes.  LADWP managers and staff will present awards to students standing in a LADWP bucket truck serving as a Reading Olympics podium.  This is a culmination event for the reading program held all through the year.

WHO: 
LADWP managers and reading coaches, students and teachers 
Former Los Angeles Dodger First Baseman Wes Parker

WHEN:
Thursday, June 19 at 8:00 a.m.

WHERE: 
Union Avenue School playground
150 S. Burlington AVe. (near Union Ave. and Beverly Blvd.)
Thomas Guide 634 D-2

The Reading Olympics provides incentives for students to improve reading so they will work harder to attain maximum results. The program demonstrates measureable improvement in reading scores based on the Open Court Program tests among participating students and classes that have LADWP Reading Coaches.

Participating classes have two Reading Coaches working in teams (one per week).  Two students read to the class per week. The coach helps as needed.  Coaches also read to the classes. Each student reading to a class wears a hard hat and has their picture taken.  The following week these students receive a certificate with their photo and another copy is exhibited near the school's main office. The three students that improved the most per class receive medals at the Reading Olympics.

The LADWP Reading Olympics Program is part of the LADWP Adopt-A-School Program. A total of 16 schools have been adopted by LADWP.  Adopt-A-School emphasizes employee involvement as the main part of the educational partnership.  Employees involved in the Reading Olympics Program at Union Avenue School are from the LADWP Water System.