RIVERSIDE: Monroe Elementary gets library face-lift
BY STEPHEN WALL
Published: October 16, 2013; 11:02 AM
The dirty carpet, faded paint and frail bookshelves are a thing of the past.
The nearly 60-year-old library at Monroe Elementary School just got a makeover.
Target Corp. and The Heart of America Foundation unveiled a renovated library at the Riverside school on Friday, Oct. 11.
A festive atmosphere prevailed on the campus. About 150 Target volunteers arrived early to add the finishing touches inside the octagon-shaped building. They shelved books, assembled furniture and put up photos before dignitaries arrived for a ribbon cutting. Parents and students toured the library after the ceremony.
“This is all different, with the colors, the TV, the pictures and all these books,” said Dominic Lezama, 11. “I’ll be looking forward to coming here and checking out books.”
Dominic was one of two Monroe students recognized by the foundation as a school hero for his leadership, academic achievements and citizenship.
The $200,000 project included new carpet, fresh paint, bookshelves, tables and beanbags, as well as a reading corner with a chair and rug. It is stocked with 2,000 new books and features 32 Google Chrome notebooks whose images can be viewed on a large, mounted flat screen during teacher instruction.
The technology upgrades bring the school into the 21st century, said Principal Jennie Mikels.
“Nothing has been done with this space since it was built in 1955,” Mikels said. “To have a remodel and an improvement in every way, it inspires kids to read more because they’ll want to be in this space.”
The principal shared a message from retired astronaut Michael Coats, a Monroe Elementary graduate who wanted to attend but couldn’t be there, Mikels said.
“His message to the students is ‘dare to dream,’” Mikels said during the ceremony. “This is a dream come true for our community.”
Monroe Elementary is one of 25 elementary schools across the country to receive upgrades this year as part of the Target School Library Makeover Program. Since 2007, Target has renovated 150 libraries nationwide, with the goal of giving $1 billion for education by the end of 2015.
Target has provided the Riverside Unified School District with at least $1 million for instructional technology such as iPads, iPods and video conferencing equipment. The money included the library makeover at Monroe Elementary, as well as library upgrades at Victoria Elementary School in Riverside in 2009, said Jacquie Paul, RUSD spokeswoman.
The company’s philanthropic philosophy fits perfectly with the district’s efforts to promote literacy in kindergarten through third grade, RUSD Superintendent Rick Miller said during the ceremony.
Students at Monroe Elementary received seven books and free backpacks after the unveiling.
Schools meet the criteria for makeovers by having large numbers of low-income students who receive free and reduced-price lunches, said Melissa Morgan, director of external communications at The Heart of America Foundation. The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit promotes volunteerism and literacy by providing the tools children need to read, succeed and make a difference.
“We look for a school that has the need, strong leadership, and a great space that would inspire students to want to learn,” Morgan said.
As a sign of the poor condition of the former library, the corners of the old bookshelves were taped together so they wouldn’t come apart, Morgan said.
“It was kind of falling apart and had cobwebs on the ceilings,” said Brandon Dordahl, 11, who was also recognized as a hero by the foundation. “This one looks amazing.”
