FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 1999
CONTACT: Cindy Scott
714- 834-3033
PIO PICO Mentoring
Project is Success Among Civic Center Employees
(Santa Ana, CA) - More
than 114 County employees and volunteers will be recognized
tomorrow for their participation in a pilot program to
mentor students at Santa Ana’s Pio Pico Elementary
School. The ceremony begins at 3 p.m. at the Santa Ana
Police Department Community Room, 60 Civic Center Drive.
White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Mickey
Ibarra will be a guest speaker.
"I feel that we as a County need to partner with
our cities and schools to ensure that our children receive
the best education possible. Our role in the mentoring
program has contributed significantly in getting the Pio
Pico program up and running. I am optimistic that the
children’s confidence gained through the program
will benefit everyone," said Chairman Chuck V. Smith.
Pio Pico, located in the center of Santa Ana, was the
only school in Orange County to receive a state mentoring
grant. The mentoring program, which began three years
ago with 50 volunteers, has grown tremendously among Civic
Center departments. One day a week during their lunch
hour, employees spent 45 minutes going over individualized
lesson plans to help the students strengthen their English
skills in reading, writing, spelling and speaking. According
to Judy Magsaysay, Pio Pico principal, the volunteers
are credited with helping 90 percent of those mentored
move up one to three grade levels in the informal reading
indicator category.
On behalf of Smith and Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido,
outstanding corporate and employee service awards will
be presented. In addition, the first Vito Bello Memorial
Service Award will be given to an outstanding mentor,
and Senator Joe Dunn, 34th District, will recognize the
mentoring program’s advisory board.
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