By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Stockton Kings promote reading at Manteca High
stockton kings.jpg
Tony Gladney, who is the emcee of the G-League Stockton Kings, was at Manteca High on Tuesday for the “Kingdom of Learning” assembly.

The Stockton Kings are the newest G League team in the area.

The former Reno Bighorns are the official minor league team of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.

As a way of strumming local support – this G-League team plays its home games in the Stockton Arena – and, at the same, promote health and literacy, local Kings’ emcee Tony Gladney along with members of the dance squad were at Manteca High for “The Kingdom of Learning” assembly at Winter Gymnasium on Tuesday.

“The Kings have a ‘Read to Achieve’ program that supports reading programs already in place in schools,” said Special Needs Teacher Anna Wooten.

She was referring to the second-year programs at MHS, Reading Plus and Lexia.

Reading Plus, Wooten said, simultaneously develops the physical, cognitive and emotional domains of reading by integrating all three into one personalized online reading program.

Lexia is designed, using the latest scientific findings in education, and is centered on empowering literacy educators with a personalized approach to learning while using ongoing data to drive instruction as well as resources for face-to-face instruction, she added.

Principal Frank Gonzales credited Wooten for helping bringing in representatives of the Stockton Kings.

“They wanted to come and put on an assembly highlighting the importance of reading and improving academic skills as well as maintaining good health so students can perform well in school,” Wooten said.

Gladney, who also works with at-risk students as a Youth Program Coordinator for Community Partnership for Families of San Joaquin, enjoyed getting those at the assembly involved in games and activities during the assembly – musical chairs, dance offs, free-throw / 3-point hoop shoots, etc.

There were also plenty of free giveaways along the way compliments of the Stockton Kings with help from the Dance Team.

“We’re a basketball team,” said Gladney, speaking on behalf of the Kings. “We play sports and we get paid.

“But it’s our education that’s important.”

He noted that as representatives of the local G-League team, they’ve visited schools in Stockton Unified, Lodi Unified and Lincoln Unified, conducting similar-type assemblies.

Add Manteca Unified to that growing list.

“It was awesome coming to Manteca today,” Gladney said.


To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.