Meneley on the lookout for volunteers

Due to the overwhelming success of its new "Share a Book" program, the staff at Meneley Elementary School is searching for more folks who might be interested in participating as classroom volunteers.

Those who complete the required training are eligible to go into classrooms and read stories aloud to kindergarten and first grade students. The goal for this year is to extend the readings into second- and third-grade classes as well.

Fifteen people took part in the initial training and have been busy incorporating the strategies they learned as part of the storytelling process. Many more people have called the school to express an interest in becoming part of the program, and an additional training has been planned for Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. From now until the end of the year, monthly meetings will be held to discuss success stories from the classroom, share books that have worked as read-alouds, and address topics related to literacy in the classroom.

If you are interested in learning more about the "Share A Book" program or attending the additional training session on Feb. 28, call Meneley at 265-3154. You will be asked to leave your name and phone number when you call and all volunteers will need to be fingerprinted.

The school is located at 1446 Muir Drive in the Ranchos.

Daylight Saving Time earlier

An issue receiving heavy media coverage recently has been global warming and the devastating effects it is having on our planet. A provision of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 extends Daylight Saving Time by four weeks this year, with the goal of hopefully decreasing our overall energy consumption.

This year, daylight saving goes into effect at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 11, meaning we need to set our clocks forward one hour. Then, on the first Sunday in November this year, Nov. 4, we'll set our clocks back one hour. Just remember to "spring forward, fall back."

It is thought that this change helps reduce energy needs for artificial lighting, and could save an estimated 300,000 barrels of oil per year.

While you're at it, it's a perfect opportunity to take a few moments and replace the batteries in your smoke alarms as well. It is recommended that those batteries be changed on a regular basis, and the switching of the clocks always reminds me to complete a chore I'd otherwise forget.

-- Amy Roby can be reached by e-mail at RanchosRoundup@hotmail.com