The City of Chula Vista

Chula Vista is the second largest city in the County of San

Diego. In the past decade the total population in Chula Vista
has increased by 41%. With a current population of about
250,000, about 58% are Hispanic, 21% are white or non-
Hispanic, 14% are Asian and 4% are Black. Of the population
in Chula Vista, 39% speak English only, 50% speak at least one
other language and English and 11% speak a language other
than English.
As a rapidly growing and changing city, the City of Chula
works closely with local school districts, community partners,
and local organizations to collaborate and create community
solutions for local problems. Like many others cities and
organizations, Chula Vista has suffered enormous cuts to city
budgets. There is an unofficial and geographical split between
the upper income east side versus the lower income and older
west side. Additionally, significant budget cuts to school
readiness programs and lack of affordable child care have all
been recognized as issues that need to be addressed. Today,
partnerships and collaborative efforts are working to promote a
healthy and educated community.
In a 2012, Community Solutions Action Plan, the City of
Chula Vista recognized that while our local districts (Chula
Vista Elementary School District and Sweetwater Union High
School District) are working hard to close achievement gaps
that persist, their efforts alone are not enough. While many
organizations are working to offer a wide variety of resources
to assist families for help and education, there is a strong need
to make the achievement gaps that persist in Chula Vista a
citywide concern (CSAP, p).
The Chula Vista Public Library
The Chula Vista Public Library has three branches within
the City of Chula Vista. The Chula Vista Public Library
(CVPL)is proud to support community literacy through many
of the programs that it provides. Programs are offered
throughout the year at each of the three branches. Early
literacy programs such as Ready to Read story time and
Born to Read assist in modeling pre-literacy and early
literacy skills to parents. Story times are held weekly and are
highly attended by library patrons. In the summer, the Chula
Vista Public Library hosts the summer reading program for
children and their families. In 2012, over 1,050 kids in
kindergarten-third grade participated. Children read books,
participate in arts and crafts and attended weekly literacy
related performances at the three branches. During the school
year, the LEAP (Library Enrichment Afters school Program)
into reading program helps to support students that are reading
below grade level by providing explicit classes in phonics and
reading comprehension. Though the Chula Vista Public
Library has suffered major budget cuts, we continue to work
creatively to continue much needed services for the
community. Programs are funded through grants and donations
but participation to all programs is free.
The Chula Vista Literacy Team
The Chula Vista Literacy Center is housed within the
South Chula Vista Branch. The Literacy Center provides
resources, classes and one-to-one literacy services for adults
and families mostly taught by volunteers. The Literacy Center
is staffed by one full time Librarian (Diana), one hour Library
Aide (Esther), and one hourly Library Associate (myself).
Both Diana and I work the majority of our work hours as staff
on the public service desks within the South Chula Vista
Library. Our hours vary depending on library staffing and
programs, but we (Diana and I) try to squeeze in at least four
hours a week working together to decide programs, classes and
administrative tasks. Diana and I work closely with our
Library Branch Manger to set up classes and programs. When
we are teaching a class or running a program, our schedules are
shifted so we can prepare and dedicate time to the program.
The Literacy Center classes and programming change with
the needs of the participants. Over the past year, our library
management has sought out grants to allow funding for adult
programs such as: citizenship classes, computer classes and
health literacy classes. Funding from a Target Early Literacy
Grant and Altrusa International allowed us to pilot the Get
Ready for Kindergarten Boot Camp (the stage for my
research). The Kindergarten Boot Camp ran for four weeks out
of the six week summer break for Chula Vista Elementary
School Kids, and for two weeks during a fall break (last week
of September to first week of October). Because of the support
from patrons, donors and local volunteers, KBC will continue
to be offered during Spring, Summer and Fall of 2014.
Kindergarten Boot Camp
Classroom
The Kindergarten Boot Camp Pilot Program is housed in
an underutilized section of the South Branch Library. Once a
Literacy Center, turned offices, turned storage dumping area
for the past four years, the area has been transformed into a
kindergarten classroom. To say the least, the layout of the
area is not a traditional square classroom. The area as a whole
is L-shaped broken up into different areas with learning carrels
or cubicles. What was once a waiting/reception area has now
become a large floor area where 15-20 students can gather for
activities and listen to stories. A long walkway lined with 3
wide desks separates the front of the area from the back. The
back of the room is separated into nine different learning
carrels. Each of the learning carrels has different materials for
Chula Vista Public Library
South Branch
children and parents to interact
with. The areas include but
are not limited to imaginative
play kitchen area, large motor
skill area with hopscotch and
materials that encourage
movement, reading room with
books and cozy seating, work
tables for writing, cutting and
gluing, and areas to complete
puzzles. The walls are
covered with brightly colored
pocket charts and posters that
are used for instructional
purposes.
This space allows children
to become familiar with, and
experience a weeklong
simulated kindergarten
experience. Children have
opportunities to participate in
whole group activities (story
read aloud, songs, games),
small learning groups (centers
geared to aid in development),
and individual activities
(reading corners, arts and
crafts).
Parents participate in
portions of this program to
gain confidence and to better
understand how they can help
support their childs transition
to kindergarten.
Activity stations for
children and parents
Imaginative play activity station
Opening and story time area
Small group table areas for desk work
Wi-Fi Cafe Area
Gross motor and physical skills area