8 Honored for Giving Schools a Helping Hand

For people who attended grade school decades ago, the news that some schools can no longer afford to keep their libraries open is bound to be shocking.

Gayle Pick was shocked, too, when she learned that budget cuts had shuttered the library at her child’s school in Tarzana, but she decided to do something about it. Pick cleaned the library, repaired damaged books, and organized a staffing schedule for volunteers. Today, the library is open every period, five days a week.

The Encino resident was one of eight volunteers to be honored for their outstanding service Thursday at a Los Angeles Unified School District reception at its downtown headquarters. Two other San Fernando Valley residents, Mira Sonderling of Van Nuys and Al Struckus of Woodland Hills, also were honored.

The awards are given each year to volunteers who have made exceptional contributions to their schools. There are 18,000 volunteers throughout the district, making the Los Angeles program the largest school volunteer program in the nation, according to Deputy Supt. Ruben Zacarias.

To make Nestle Avenue Elementary School a better place, Pick, 47, has done everything from serving as PTA president to cleaning the school’s sickroom. She types Nestle’s newsletter, runs the book fair and created a program in which families are recognized for donating books to the library on their child’s birthday.

“Getting kids involved in the library is my driving goal,” she said.

Those who know her say that Pick deserves the recognition.

“She does all this stuff behind the scenes, and all of a sudden everything is done,” said Principal Edward Catlett.

There are 125 volunteers at Nestle, which has a student population of 390. Catlett chalks up the high participation rate to the staff letting the volunteers know that they are trusted, and to the efforts of volunteer coordinator Carol Siembieda.

Struckus, who is in his 70s, used his experience as an amateur carpenter to engage students in school-beautification projects at Miguel Leonis Continuation High School in Woodland Hills. Due to their efforts, a gazebo, a barbecue, and a waterfall have sprung up at the school.

The retired engineer for Rockwell International Corp. says he is happy to have allowed students room to express their creativity and to feel good about making their school a special place.

“They are my new children,” said Struckus, whose own children have grown up and moved away. “They really are.”

Sonderling, 65, also is putting her retirement years to productive use. She tutors former high school dropouts and English as a Second Language students at the North Hollywood Adult Learning Center.

Sonderling works in a classroom where students do independent study in a variety of subjects toward their high school degree. She helps students over rough spots in math, history, science and English.

“She just makes them feel, ‘You can do it, I’ll help you do it, you will do it,’ ” said Rheta Goldman, coordinator of the daytime program. “She just builds self-esteem, which is so important today.”