Because “reading colors our world,” children were asked to wear their favorite color on Monday. Since “reading is crazy fun,” wearing their silliest socks or rocking a crazy hairstyle was Tuesday’s theme. Wednesday saw the students dressed as their favorite superhero or wearing a superhero shirt to remind them that “reading gives you superpowers.” Because “books bring out your wild side,” kids were encouraged to wear animal print clothing or a shirt with a favorite animal on it during Thursday classes. The week ended with an invitation for everyone to wear their pajamas to school to remind them to “cozy up with a good book.”

Pre-kindergarten teacher Ana Garcia took things a step further and chose R as the letter of week. Not only is it the beginning letter of reading but the children made rainbow bracelets as one of their many daily activities, which reinforced their color recognition skills.

Preschool Director Lenora “Ponie” Mojado enjoys the Book Fair because parents get to purchase books for their children to enjoy at home. Additionally, the preschool benefits directly from Book Fair sales through Scholastic Dollars, which teachers can use to purchase books, classroom materials, and educational items.

This year’s book fair was very successful, earning almost $1,700, some of which goes back to the school. “This provides teachers with valuable resources for their classrooms,” Mojado said.

Book Fair Consultant Jessica Cameron has worked at Scholastic for three years and served as the preschool’s consultant this year. Her role is to help to organize book fairs and talk to book fair hosts to help with planning events. She serves a large area and helps more than 650 schools in Riverside County, with about 100 of them being preschools.

She said every school that hosts a fair gets a percentage of the profits earned back in Scholastic Dollars that can be used to purchase books off of future fairs or to shop the Scholastic Dollars Catalog online that has many fun items from books, to book vending machines, digital products, outdoor toys, classroom resources, and more. They also offer 10 percent extra in Scholastic Dollars for schools that run more than one fair.

“We have been working with Soboba Tribal Preschool since 2016, there was a break during COVID (2020-2023) and we started back in 2024,” Cameron said.  “It’s been my pleasure to work with Soboba Tribal Preschool.”

Cameron has always had a love for reading. “I love the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins,” she said. “My little sister and I read the books together in middle school/high school and won tickets from a radio contest to be able to go see the first movie at a local theater when it premiered. I’ve loved that Collins has continued the series with new additions as well.”

Mojado appreciates the work Scholastic does to curate the selection of books based on the age group served.

“For future fairs, we plan to order additional items such as pencils, erasers, and small novelty items that families enjoy,” she said. “We also consider what parents typically like to purchase, and Scholastic sends a variety of high interest children’s books. They also include a $5 table with chapter books for older elementary students. The $5 chapter book collections are especially popular with families who have older children, and parents often pick up books for siblings as well.”

Before releasing her students from rug time, Garcia asked each student if they had a favorite book. Many of them replied with the popular title, “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rainbow” by Lucille Colandro. This is one that was read aloud to the class as part of their rainbow theme on March 12. Garcia commended the students for sharing and said all their titles were good choices.

“Our most popular books for sale this year have been princess-themed stories, Spider-Man books, and monster truck books, which the children are especially excited about,” Mojado said.

For more information, please visit https://education.scholastic.com/content/fairs/home.html.

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Kindergarten teacher Cindy Lee said the classes are taking all of them to the point of learning the language in a conversational way that can be adapted into the school’s curriculum.

“We’ve always done vocabulary words in both English and Luiseño, but this is going to give us a chance to greet students and ask simple questions in their native language and have them learn how to respond,” Lee said.

Alfred (Charlie) Arviso Jr. serves as the instructor for 10 teachers that attend weekly classes that last from two to two and one-half hours. The lessons are a combination of worksheets and lessons from the “Introduction to Luiseño” textbook. He gives the teachers a chapter to study so they will be prepared for each meeting, where it is reviewed and discussed. He calls throughout the week to see if there are any questions.

“It has been a great investment in our youth to have this language program,” King said. “The classes have been extremely motivating for the teachers. They have incorporated the language in the classroom décor, circle time activities and songs. The classroom toys are labeled in English/Luiseño as much as possible (if there is an English word available).”

Lee said she enjoys the extensive reviews, ensuring that the teachers who are now students thoroughly understand each lesson before moving on. She has learned that many words don’t translate verbatim from the English to Luiseño, helping her understand why some things need to be worded a little differently.

“We are learning about the grammar and how to put it together and use it properly,” Lee said. “We can ask (our students) questions now, such as, ‘Good morning, how are you?’ and they will be able to answer us.”

Soboba Tribal Preschool teacher Ana Garcia said she has taken language classes through the TANF program but said these more intimate classes allows her to ask more questions, which is extremely helpful.

“I’m excited to be able to teach this language to our native children,” Garcia said.

Melissa Arviso is also a teacher at the preschool and said that having more native language incorporated into the curriculum is something she has always wanted to see at the preschool.

With the advent of this academic school year being held via distance learning for the foreseeable future, King said having new Luiseño language lessons included in the take-home packets will give parents the opportunity to learn alongside their child.

“I’m excited for the parents who get to see and hear their children learning their native language,” Melissa Arviso said. “Sending homework home with the children will give parents a chance to be learning with their kids.”

She said she is proud of her own children who are very culture oriented due to the strong influence of their grandparents and great-grandparents.

“They are proud of who they are and where they came from and have followed a Native path,” she added.

Kindergarten teacher and Soboba Tribal Member Antonia Venegas said she enjoys the classes but said it is not easy learning the language.

“A lot of the things we do ceremonial wise incorporate the Luiseño language, so that’s helping me,” she said, adding that her son has been learning enough as a student at Noli Indian School to be able to give blessings in their native language.

King said many Tribal members in the community have already expressed an interest in wanting to learn as well and they are searching for other grant opportunities to have classes for Tribal members of all ages.

The Luiseño language classes for preschool staff started June 29 and are expected to be held through the end of the year. Future goals include having language exposure increase at each grade level so that by the end of kindergarten, students will be able to easily converse with others in their native language.

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