Writing a happy ending

Sassarini School students (from left), Korbin Jensen, third grade, Andres Alvarez, first grade, and Maychella O’Brien, second grade, are excited about a toy drive to support the school’s Accerated Reading Program.

How it works: kids read appropriate level books, then take a short computer-generated test in the computer lab. Correct answers count as points towards prizes. The school has successfully used the program for several years to encourage reading, comprehension and computer literacy but this year, says coordinator Lenore Lohnes, there is no longer a budget for prizes. “So we are placing a toy donation box in front on Sonoma Market starting this Friday (Jan. 18). It will be there for a week. We are hoping to get a lot of donations of ‘gently used’ toys for kids to pick as their prize for achieving a new reading level.”

To coordinate other donations, call Lohnes on Tuesday or Thursday mornings at 935.6040 x141.