Inland Empire Community Newspapers • March 7, 2013 • Page A13 Sylvan goes all out fo r Read Across America By Cynthia Mendoza W hat better place to cel- ebrate Read Across America, a national lit- eracy promotion event sponsored by the National Education Associ- ation, and Dr. Seuss’s birthday than at a place that not only pro- motes literacy but also helps peo- ple of all ages learn and improve on their reading, Sylvan Learning Center. On Saturday, March 2, the Sylvan Learning Center in Rialto, at the Rancho Verde Shopping Center, went all out to bring the commu- nity together to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday and get engaged in learning and reading. Special guests included the most famous Dr. Seuss character, Cat In The Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2, the blue haired “thing” buddies and as is very often the case, a Rialto fire truck. The prize wheel offered great and very useful prizes, too, including gift cards to well known retailers such as Ralph’s and Starbucks as well as certificates for free tutoring or assessments. Activities included games, a photo booth with props, a prize wheel as well as a Cat in the Hat snack and freshly made ice cream. All activities but the ice cream were free. And speaking of ice cream, this in itself had its own unique twist as it was made on the spot with fresh ingredients and then frozen with nitrogen. The Aria Dance Company also put on a wonderful performance and at every station there was something fun and interactive for kids and their parents to do. “We wanted to get the kids ex- cited about reading and give fami- lies something fun to do for free,” said Debbie Shiba, Director of Ed- ucation for Sylvan Learning Center in Rialto. “Reading is important at such an early age. Reading is inte- gral to every part of life. Every- thing involves reading.” The event, which drew about 200 people, including about 90 kids, was also an opportunity for parents to familiarize themselves with the Sylvan services available to their students to help them be successful in school. Getting the help they need to do well in school, apart from improving academic per- formance, can also enhance a child’s confidence and fill in a few gaps that they may not otherwise be able to achieve. And let’s face it, as almost any parent will admit, sometimes kids need to hear cer- tain things from well-respected people other than their parents in order for it make a difference. “Sometimes tutors get through to kids when parents can’t,” Shiba said. But getting help for school isn’t just for kids. Adults are also en- couraged to do so, such as adults who may be going back to college later in life and need to brush up on basics such as algebra. Either way, getting help in school is something that can help kids and adults alike achieve their educa- tional goals, which in turn can boost confidence and self-esteem. The Read Across America event at Sylvan Learning Center was made possible by many of the mer- chants in the Rancho Verde Shop- ping Center, who contributed through gift cards or other forms of support and sponsorship. A big thank you to them, too. For more information on Sylvan Learning Center in Rialto call (909) 562-0234. There is also a center in Redlands. Their number is (909) 792-9669. PHOTOS/CALEB SHIBA What Dr. Seuss birthday celebration would be complete without the Cat In The Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2? They were all part of the Read Across America celebration on Saturday, March 2 at Sylvan Learning Center located at the Rancho Verde Shoppign Center. PHOTOS/CALEB SHIBA Ben Eller, right, leads a “Green eggs and ham” themed game at the Saturday, March 2 Read Across America event at Sylvan Learning Center in Rialto. The event is in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday, the famous author who penned the popular book by that title. PHOTOS/CALEB SHIBA Aria Dance Company put on a wonderful performance on Saturday, March 2 at the Read Across America event at Sylvan Learning Center in Rialto. PHOTOS/CALEB SHIBA The prize wheel at Sylvan Learning Center’s Read Across Amer- ica had great prizes, including gift cards for well-known retailers and certificates for services such as free tutoring and assess- ments. 916 S. Riverside Ave., Rialto 909/820-0198 Mexican Restaurant • The Finest Mexican Food Fish Burrito Special $4.95 Grilled or Battered only w/ad good until 3/29/13