Reading to dogs builds confidence of struggling readers

Animals have an amazing way of bringing children out of their shells and The Reading Education Assistance Dogs program is hoping to have kids picking up books and reading out loud with confidence.

“Many of our kids just need a little boost and this program gives them that one-on-one time in a unique way,” said Jodie Raddatz, of the children’s area of the Bonita Springs Public Library.

The program places kids in a comfortable setting in which they can reading to dogs and their handlers.

“It’s more that they read to the pets but they get to do it in a way that is non-judgmental,” said Ann Duyster, the Lee County coordinator for the Delta Society, the group which helps provide the dogs for the program.

Children from the community are invited to attend the program by walking in and picking up a book they’d like to read.
They are then paired with a dog and handler and the idea is to provide a safe atmosphere where read is fun.

“She was having a hard time reading and it gives her a chance to hear herself out loud and read to someone other than us (parents),” said Rachel Powell, 30, of Bonita Springs. She brought her 7-year-old daughter Naomi to the program with hopes of inspiring her daughter to read more.

Although only a few sessions have been held at the library so far, Raddatz said, it’s growing because there are few places where kids can go to read to dogs.

“They get to practice reading in a non-threatening way and often they read but not always out loud so this gives them the confidence to do it,” said Raddatz, who organizes the program.

The program is especially helpful to kids with language barriers or Spanish-only readers despite some of the dog handlers not knowing Spanish.

“I think Jana learned some Spanish today. That was a very good book and you did a fantastic job reading it,” said Duyster, to a Spanish-only reader after a short reading session at the library with her dog Jana.

Patricia Fuentes, 14, spent her time reading to Sassy, a 7-year-old greyhound.

“It was very calming not like reading to somebody because (Sassy) won’t interrupt you,” said Fuentes, of Bonita Springs. “Sometimes I read to other people and they get in the way. I really liked this quiet time.”

The dogs that participate in the program are specially trained by the Gulf Coast Pet Partners, a Delta Society affiliate located in Southwest Florida.

“The dogs have to have a certain disposition and be able to follow commands like sit, lay and must be loving to other people,” said Duyster, whose dog has also visited the elderly at hospitals in the area.

The handlers are an integral part of the program because they act as middle-men between the dogs and the reader.

Handlers often ask questions about the reading experience or help kids understand the meaning of a word as if the dog was asking.

“Sometimes if they struggle with a word, or if there is a word they might not be familiar with then the handler will explain it to the reader,” Duyster said. “I think it helps kids because unlike people, dogs don’t frown upon kids and they love it.”

That sense of reassurance is exactly what brought Sabrina Stefanko out to the library with her daughter, Veronica.

“We heard about the program and she just loves dogs,” said Stefanko, of Bonita Springs, about her 7-year-old. “We did it last year when school ended and when we heard it was back we just had to be here.”

Ronald McDonald get's kids active at Bonita Springs Elementary

Students at Bonita Springs Elementary recently got a visit from an unlikely character dressed in a bright yellow jogging suit with red hair and big red shoes.

They knew he was coming as he has for the last eight years but when Ronald McDonald stepped out from behind the school’s stage curtain, the more than 400 students shrieked in glee.

“It’s great that Ronald can be here. McDonald’s is one of our biggest sponsors and this provides students something different,” said principal David Short.

He invited the fast food chain’s icon to the school for two shows focused on being physically fit and the importance of eating healthy.

“This is our Go Active show and we want to make sure you guys are getting your nutrients and that your body is running like a car,” said Ronald McDonald to the kids at the start of the show.

The clown with the red nose and golden arches on his suit got kids moving by having them use their imaginations to think of their favorite activity and act it out.

“We want to get the kids moving and remind them to not just lay on the couch but to go outside and play softball, run, jump and play,” said Marylin Fermanich, who assists McDonald throughout the show by singing, dancing and getting the kids involved.

Fitness is a growing concern among children who spend little or no time outdoors.

“We like that they can come out here and teach them about it because kids now a days spend a lot of time in front of a monitor or TV,” said Short, whose school also partners with McDonald’s on various other projects throughout the year.

Kids during the show also had an opportunity to move a large air filled cube around as teachers assisted McDonald in the activity focused on movement. He also gave tips on how kids can keep their bodies healthy by drinking water and eating fruits and veggies.

“They pay attention, they listen and that’s what you want them to do. They have great fun and we love it,” Short said.

Literacy Council opens new office space

The Literacy Council of Bonita Springs is growing quickly and the demand for classes has forced the center to acquire a new building on Old 41.

The 1,640-square-foot space won’t replace the two existing offices and classroom spaces of its current office, but will give instructors and tutors the ability to expand class offerings to the community.

“We are so grateful that we were able get the space because we need it. There are so many students that want English classes in the evenings,” said Susan Acuna, executive director of the literacy council.

Students will get many new offerings as the new space provides classroom space, a room for the ever growing Moms & Tots Family Literacy program, a kitchen and a director’s office.

“The extra space is good for us because we can provide classes for 20 to 25 more students in the evening,” said Diego Grisales, the council’s new program director.

Grisales was hired to oversee the offerings at the new site and keep things in line with the main office across the street.
Over the years, the council has expanded it’s services in response to Bonita Springs’ growing Hispanic population.

The nonprofit, which serves mostly undocumented immigrants, has offered free English classes since 1989 and in 2006 taught 1,379 students with 490 tutors.

“It’s wonderful that we have been so crowded that we have to get another space to fit everybody in,” said Patricia Shanahan, a tutor at the council for three years.

The additional room will benefit the council’s literacy program in which kids and their mothers are taught English and the differences in U.S. culture.

“It’s a very good program, thanks to them we have learned a lot of things like English, they helped us fill out applications and teach us how to handle money,” said Erika Vazquez, 29, of Bonita Springs. She is a member of the Moms & Tots Family Literacy program. “They have really helped us a lot. It’s incredible.”

Maria Brito said the program has been successful because of the council’s focus on enhancing lives in the community.
Brito, 25, and her daughter Scarlett, 1, of Bonita Springs, have been attending the Moms & Tots program for two years. and Brito herself has completed 312 hours of class time.

“How are you? My name is Maria Brito and thank you for my teachers and helped my confidence with English,” said Brito, to an audience during the office space’s ribbon cutting ceremony and second anniversary of the literacy program. “I can help my son with his homework.”

Being able to assist her son, Martin, is a big accomplishment for Brito who admits that her life has been enhanced because of the program.

“We are really blessed to get this building and we are blessed in so many ways,” said Katie Verna, the exiting director of the Literacy Council.

An unnamed donor has offered to pay for the first six months rent for the new space. After that time, the council will pitch in to make rent.

“We will find ways to pick up the tab but we are just happy that we can offer more services to the community,” Acuna said.

Curriculum night gets parents and teachers involved

Parents often wonder what their kids do for eight hours on school days at Spring Creek Elementary but curriculum night is the perfect night for parents to see the educational process first hand.

Karen Leonardi, the schools principal, and other members of the staff invited parents to see the school and find out what the kids will be learning all year long.

“It’s a great opportunity for parents to meet with the teachers and know that every educational minute counts and their participation is crucial,” said Leonardi, who introduced teachers to parents during the informal gathering.

The school that teaches kindergarten through fifth grade held the night to show parents the importance of attendance, grades and what new programs had been added to the school year.

“It’s a very informal session and parents will be able to ask any questions and nothing is better than talking one-to-one,” Leonardi said. “That connection between home and school is very effective.”

During the night, parents spent time getting to know their children’s teachers and what their classrooms looked like.

Kristy Nelson is one of the first grade teachers who talked to parents about vocabulary, reading skills and what students should be practicing at home.

“It’s important they come to know what their child is doing all day and what they are learning so they can reinforce it at home,” Nelson said.

Being able to assist his child when her mom isn’t available is why Mike Walsh came to curriculum night.

“It’s great because I like to be involved and this is an easy way to see what is going on at her school,” said Walsh, of Estero, who has a six-year-old Jessica. “Her mom usually is very involved and I think it’s great to have this interaction because parents and teachers should do this more.”

Meeting on a regular basis with parents is also a chance for the school to inform students about new programs that require parent permission or involvement.

“We are adding things all the time and even our Roaring Readers program is growing with offerings for the little ones,” said Leonardi, about the reading program geared toward teaching parents how to make reading a regular part of their children’s lives. “Parents are helpful and they always want to know new ways to help.”

After question and answer sessions with parents and teachers, students had the opportunity to show off their latest test scores, assignments and class projects.

“I love it. It helps because we know what she is doing here and what she needs to know,” said Kathy Phillips, of Bonita Springs. Her daughter Delaney, 8, is a third grade gifted student. “We want to know how to help at home so anything we can do we will.”

Art sale helps Ronald McDonald House

For the love of art, donate money to the Ronald McDonald House of Southwest Florida.

That’s the message Carla Bonten, the owner of Carla Bonten Realty Inc., is trying to pass along to the art lovers of Bonita Springs and beyond.

Through her realty office, Bonten is selling art pieces donated by local artist Neil Farkas.

“Farkas donated a bunch of pieces of art for an art show I did earlier this year and we have a lot of good pieces that we have to let go off before the end of the year,” said Bonten, who has donated more than $30,000 to the Ronald McDonald House in south Fort Myers.

She has been fundraising since 1999 for the nonprofit, which provides housing for sick children and their parents by selling art.

Some of the artists donate the complete sale or just a portion after framing costs and art supplies are paid for.

“It’s a very good cause to do this because they help children, families and they do a great job everywhere,” she said about the program, which boasts more than 235 houses around the world.

The pieces available for purchase at Bonten’s Bonita Springs office off Spanish Wells Boulevard are part of a larger art show held previously but must be cleared out to make room for a larger show in January.

“We will do an even bigger show with a German artist but the goal now is to get offers and donate 100 percent of the money to the Ronald McDonald House,” Bonten said.

Currently on display, Farkas’ pieces have a universal appeal with images of the american flag, the Mona Lisa and other works that have been on display across the country in museums.

The images are unique in that Farkas uses a technique called “photosynthesis,” or a process of combining traditional media of lithography and seriography with tools of the digital age.

“We do these art shows all the time but this one is good because people can set their own price for the art. Any reasonable offer won’t be refused,” said Bonten’s marketing director, Sue Huff. “The artwork is always different but it’s for charity so we hope to get the most we can for it.”

Determining the final price is put on Bonten’s shoulders but her knowledge of art and experience in previous shows will give bidders a shot at nice art at an affordable price.

“It’s hard sometimes to give a price but we try to cover the framing costs and because we know it’s for charity we do what we can to get the most for it as long as it’s reasonable,” Bonten said.

Bonten got involved with the Ronald McDonald House after hearing the director speak on a morning radio station and invite donors to attend a special reception years ago.

“I established a ‘For the Love of Art’ program after visiting the house and seeing that what they are doing is really helpful for the families,” said Bonten about the fund she put together to ensure the money was getting into the right hands. “Everything goes to them and that’s what I want. To do my part and donate what I can.”