EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 62, NO. 29
May 08, 2025
More Than 100 Underserved Youth Become Published Authors in ‘Beyond the Books’ Showcase in San Bernardino
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Newborn Found Crying Beside Dumpster in Riverside; Police Seek Mother’s Whereabouts Pg. 3
PHOTO SBCSS San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre joins student authors as they proudly display their published books during the “Beyond the Books” youth storytelling showcase.
By Manny Sandoval
M
ore than 100 students from San Bernardino County Community Schools became published authors on May 5 during “Beyond the Books,” a youth storytelling showcase held at the Dorothy Ingham Learning Center.
Hope Through Housing Launches Workforce Development Program with $1.69 Million Grant Pg. 4
Presented in partnership by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) and human development non-profit IMPACTtruth, the event spot-
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lighted student-authored stories centered on values like courage, empathy, and resilience. All participants are now officially published through the Literature to Life program, which helps young people transform lived experiences into original literary works. Students represented eight County Community Schools—institutions that serve underserved youth facing significant personal, academic, or socio-emotional challenges. Through the Literature to Life program, they engaged in guided story-
telling rooted in personal transformation and character development. The showcase featured remarks from County Superintendent Ted Alejandre, Assistant Superintendent Myrlene Pierre, and Dr. Scott Wyatt, Area Director of Student Services for SBCSS. Each underscored the importance of elevating student voices and creating pathways for youth to see their lived experiences as sources of strength. Books cont. on next pg.
City of San Bernardino Libraries Offering Free Passes to California State Parks Community News
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PHOTO SBCSS A student audience listens intently during the “Beyond the Books” event, where more than 100 County Community School students were celebrated for becoming published authors.
or the fourth year in a row, the San Bernardino Public Library is offering its library cardholders free vehicle day-use entry to over 200 participating state parks and beaches operated by the California State Parks. State funding for this popular program was proposed to be eliminated but was restored in the 2024-2025 budget for one more year due to a statewide petition drive. Five passes are available at the City of San Bernardino’s Norman F. Feldheym Main Library and three passes are available at each of the City branch libraries. “Libraries are trusted community hubs where Californians know they can find what they need to work, play, and thrive,” said California State Librarian Greg Lucas. “This partnership with State Parks now allows Californians to ‘check out’ California’s great outdoors at their community library.” The California State Library Parks Pass Program has been an important way to provide residents with the opportunity to visit state parks that they might not have other-
wise visited. A survey conducted by the California State Parks Foundation found that 63% of Californians considered cost to be their main reason for not having visited state parks previously. “Every Californian should have access to the beauty and benefits of parks, and we know that cost can be a barrier to visiting. We're excited that local branch libraries are once again a gateway to state parks," said Executive Director of the California State Parks Foundation Rachel Norton. The California State Library Parks Pass is valid for entry of one passenger vehicle with a capacity of nine people or less, or one highway licensed motorcycle. Popular Orange County beaches are among the locations eligible for free admission including Doheny State Beach, Huntington State Beach, Bolsa Chica State Beach, and San Onofre State Beach. Other participating state parks include Silverwood Lake and Chino Hills State Park in San Bernardino County, Lake Perris State Recreation Area and Anza Borrego State Park in Riverside County, Carlsbad State Beach in San Diego County, and Malibu
Creek State Park in Los Angeles County. Please visit https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30813 for a complete list of participating parks. Some California State Parks have been excluded from the program. Passes may be checked out for up to three weeks at a time with a City of San Bernardino library card in good standing and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and. Passes may not be placed on hold or renewed. The park passes may be checked out through December 31, 2025, at the following San Bernardino Public Library locations: Feldheym Central Library: 555 West Sixth Street Inghram Branch Library: 1505 West Highland Avenue Rowe Branch: Boulevard
108
East
Marshall
Villaseñor Branch: 525 North Mt. Vernon State Parks cont. next pg.