Berylwood family fun day back by popular demand
May 3 event encourages parent involvement at the school
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

When Chicago Cubs legend Ernie Banks said, "Let's play two," someone in Simi Valley was listening.

Berylwood Elementary School decided one Family Fun Day, held in November, was good, but two would be twice as nice.

The school will host its second Family Fun Day of the school year on Saturday, May 3 from 9 to 11 a.m.

Arts and crafts, read-alouds and math games will be featured in a picnic-style atmosphere. Students will share their singing and dancing talents, while others will read poetry and play piano and drums.

"We had a very successful Family Fun Day in the fall," said first-year Principal Nidia Grijalva-Imbler. "We're hoping we have another one. . . . This is a fun way for us to open up our school for our parents."

With donations from FedEx and the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise, the school is expected to give away 100 books.

New books will be awarded to raffle winners and used books will be free.

The PTA is providing a breakfast snack and water.

Last fall, about 50 families attended Family Fun Day. Simi Valley Unified School District board member Eric Lundstrom and director of primary education Debbie Riley were also on hand.

Brenda Montaine hopes the event will encourage parents to become more involved in their children's education.

"Parent involvement is one of our board's primary goals," said Montaine, a teacher at Berylwood from 1996 to 2006 who spent last year at Lincoln Elementary as a literacy coach. "We definitely want parents to feel welcome and comfortable, especially some parents who are new to the area."