Monte Vista Elementary School's new library books new look
MONTCLAIR - Monte Vista Elementary School's new library and computer room is going to be Mona Romero's new home away from home.
Thanks to a program sponsored by Target and the Heart of America Foundation, the school's library at 4900 Orchard St. was picked for a makeover from three finalists in the Ontario-Montclair School District.
"We don't have a computer, and with kids now, technology is part of their homework," said Romero, who has two children attending the school.
Thanks to a program sponsored by Target and the Heart of America Foundation, the school's library at 4900 Orchard St. was picked for a makeover from three finalists in the Ontario-Montclair School District.
"We don't have a computer, and with kids now, technology is part of their homework," said Romero, who has two children attending the school.
Construction started in early summer and the official unveiling was held Friday.
Renovations included new technology, paint, lighting, carpet and shelving, furniture as well as customized wall art and murals.
The prize also included makeovers of the school's preschool room into a computer lab, which now has 32 new laptops, and reviving a garden in front of the room.
"This is amazing, I was not expecting anything to this level. It's just gorgeous," Principal Sultana Dixon said. "This is going to build a sense of family and pride for our students."
Target also donated more than 2,000 new books to the library and on Friday more than 200 volunteers were at the school awarding each student with seven new books to start their own libraries at home.
"It's colorful, and I really like the quotes," said Romero's daughter Jaselle Magana.
On the walls of the library are inspirational quotes in English and Spanish.
Parent Jose Barrios donated his time and materials to help bring the garden back to life by upgrading the irrigation system and planting eco-friendly plants, Dixon said.
Volunteers from Target painted the wall near the garden with its five pillars for positive behavior - respect, responsibility, kindness, determination and pride.
On Friday, the volunteers were also busy paining the wall in front of the library with "Readers Are Leaders."
Monte Vista Elementary is one of 32 schools nationwide to receive the gift valued at more than $100,000.
Due to budget cuts, Monte Vista Elementary has closed three portables classrooms and reconfigured the campus.
Jaselle, a fourth-grader, was also impressed by the large windows so she could "actually look outside."
"It doesn't look anything like my classroom that I had last year," she said.
Schools receiving a library makeover are chosen based on a number of factors, including the number of students reading below proficiency level, the percentage of students from low-income families and the overall need for library improvement.
Renovations included new technology, paint, lighting, carpet and shelving, furniture as well as customized wall art and murals.
The prize also included makeovers of the school's preschool room into a computer lab, which now has 32 new laptops, and reviving a garden in front of the room.
"This is amazing, I was not expecting anything to this level. It's just gorgeous," Principal Sultana Dixon said. "This is going to build a sense of family and pride for our students."
Target also donated more than 2,000 new books to the library and on Friday more than 200 volunteers were at the school awarding each student with seven new books to start their own libraries at home.
"It's colorful, and I really like the quotes," said Romero's daughter Jaselle Magana.
On the walls of the library are inspirational quotes in English and Spanish.
Parent Jose Barrios donated his time and materials to help bring the garden back to life by upgrading the irrigation system and planting eco-friendly plants, Dixon said.
Volunteers from Target painted the wall near the garden with its five pillars for positive behavior - respect, responsibility, kindness, determination and pride.
On Friday, the volunteers were also busy paining the wall in front of the library with "Readers Are Leaders."
Monte Vista Elementary is one of 32 schools nationwide to receive the gift valued at more than $100,000.
Due to budget cuts, Monte Vista Elementary has closed three portables classrooms and reconfigured the campus.
Jaselle, a fourth-grader, was also impressed by the large windows so she could "actually look outside."
"It doesn't look anything like my classroom that I had last year," she said.
Schools receiving a library makeover are chosen based on a number of factors, including the number of students reading below proficiency level, the percentage of students from low-income families and the overall need for library improvement.
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