Leadership Manhattan Beach Creates Classroom Libraries
Jun 08, 2024 08:56AM ● By Jeanne Fratello
Leadership Manhattan Beach Class of 2024
The Leadership Manhattan Beach Class of 2024 raised over $12,000 this spring to create six classroom libraries at the Ánimo Ralph Bunche Charter High School, which has no school library.
Through its "Book Zone Project," the 19 members of the leadership class sought to enhance the school's Empowered Reading Program.
The class was able to procure more than 650 new books taken from a request list from the six teachers. The book selections, in English and Spanish, encompassed the reading skill range of the students, from first-time English learners to AP English classes.
But the project involved more than books: The group ordered and assembled bookcases and bought rugs, comfortable
chairs, lamps and book carts for six of the English classrooms at the
school. They also created a Parent Resource Room with tables, chairs, new signage and bookcases to make a space for parent meetings and small group speakers, with books for parents to borrow about communicating with their teens, finance and budgeting, life management, and teen issues.
“The opportunity to work with such incredible people has taught us so much and has inspired us to become more involved in our community going forward," said Emma Markolf, a Leadership Manhattan Beach class member and a Mira Costa student.
The Book Zone project involved fundraising and assistance from many supporting organizations and businesses, including Petros Restaurants, Jane K. Euler Family Law, the Manhattan Beach Rotary Club, and Kinecta Credit Union. {pages: a bookstore} was also instrumental in ordering many of the books. The remaining donations came from local friends and families wanting to help support students in the extended community.
Manhattan Beach Mayor Joe Franklin praised the group for its successful project: “Manhattan Beach is blessed with an abundance of loving, caring and talented residents who unselfishly strive to make a difference in the world. Leadership MB was created to tap that talent and develop future leaders in our community. With no library on campus, your project perfectly assisted the school's reading program. This, in turn, leads to dramatic increases in student comprehension and academic achievement. Through your efforts [you have] enhanced the education of future generations.”
Ánimo Ralph Bunche Focuses on Closing Achievement Gap
“Students are coming in two to three years behind in reading skills, and the Empowered Reading Program brings them to proficiency and even two to three years ahead," said Calvin Chan, senior development officer at Green Dot Public Schools California. "Well over 85% of our kids end up going to college."
Leadership Manhattan Beach Accepting Applications
Celebrating its 30th year of community outreach and service, Leadership Manhattan Beach offers a comprehensive leadership program to educate and develop future leaders. Each year it selects individuals from the community, including seniors, business leaders, volunteers, and high school students who are interested in learning more about city departments, community involvement, and philanthropic opportunities. Techniques learned in Leadership Manhattan Beach training are put to immediate use in the creation, selection and execution of an annual group project.
Leadership Manhattan Beach is currently accepting applications for its Class of 2025.
