Each student at Meneley Elementary School received a brand new book on Oct. 15, courtesy of City National Bank.
For the second year in a row, the bank donated books to the school as part of their Reading is the Way Up child literacy program. Last year, they donated 500 books to the school's library. This year, it was closer to 600, as they gave each student his or her own book to take home and keep.
Kindergartners through third-graders received a copy of "Big Dig" by Paul Stickland, a pop-up book about the construction industry. Fourth- through sixth-graders received "Phineas L. MacGuire... Erupts" by Frances O'Roark Dowell and Preston McDaniels, a novel about a scientific fourth-grader.
"We're taking the Reading is the Way Up program to the next level," said Paul Stowell, senior vice president and marketing manager for the Nevada branch of City National.
Stowell said education should be the focal point of any community outreach program.
"We're educating the future leaders of tomorrow," he said.
Superintendent Carol Lark called the donation "the perfect example of a partnership between businesses and schools."
When students flooded into the gym to receive their books, Lark told them about her childhood in Kansas.
"I grew up on a farm with 12 brothers and sisters. We never traveled, and the only escape was to read books," she said. "I love books. Reading makes wonderful additions to your life, and it makes you smarter on top of that."
Meneley Principal Paula Zona said City National Bank was donating more than reading material.
"They're not only giving every child a book, but they're having volunteers come in to read with the kids one-on-one," she said.
Stowell said the bank is also offering $500 literacy grants to teachers, who can apply for the grants online.
"In today's environment, with budget cuts in education, teachers are spending more money out of their own pockets," he said. "Five hundred dollars can go a long way."
While waiting for their books, students played "Are You Smarter than a Banker?," a spin-off of the Fox trivia show, "Are You Smarter than a Fifth-Grader?"
Students from each grade competed. More often than not, students trounced the bankers on easy questions: Stowell lost to a kindergartner.
And amid the laughter, Blue, the Reading is the Way Up mascot, handed out books.
Having a blue and yellow ladder for a head, red square-shaped shorts and bright purple sneakers, Blue was the target of many hugs.
However, students soon lost themselves in their new books.
"I like how it pops up," 5-year-old Christopher Thacker said of "Big Dig."
Older students were enticed by the cover of "Phineas L. MacGuire... Erupts."
"I don't read a lot, but I am excited to read this book," said fourth-grader Jaden Peterson.
Classmate Devanie Washington agreed.
"This could be one of my favorites," Devanie said.
Stowell said since 2002 City National Bank has donated $2 million worth of books in California and Nevada.
For more information about the literacy program, visit www.readingisthewayup.org.
