LOS ANGELES - City National Bank today announced that it has awarded 85 Reading is The way up® grants totaling more than $83,000 to support literacy-based projects at elementary, middle and high schools in California, Nevada and New York

Reading is The way up is the award-winning literacy initiative through which City National has donated more than 115,000 books to elementary school libraries in California, Nevada and New York, and awarded 639 teacher grants to enhance literacy totaling over $500,000 since the program's inception in 2002.

The grants ranging from $500 to $1,500 will help augment or expand literacy projects that were judged to be creative and engaging, and that would have a tangible effect on student achievement. The winning programs are expected to directly improve literacy to more than 10,000 students in 78 schools throughout California, Nevada and New York.

The educators receiving literacy grants were selected from among the many full-time teachers, librarians, administrators and school media specialists who submitted an online application. Applications were distributed to every school district in California's 11 counties where City National maintains offices, which included Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Orange County, San Bernardino, Simi Valley, and more.  In Nevada, applications were distributed to four counties where the bank has a presence, including Clark, Washoe, Carson City and Douglas.  In New York City it was distributed in Manhattan.

"We are excited to award much needed funds to a number of very deserving educators throughout California, Nevada and New York as part of this year's annual literacy grant program," said Carolyn Rodriguez, vice president and manager of Reading is The way up for City National. "These literacy grants are an investment in our future and part of our daily commitment to the communities we serve."

A few examples of projects funded include:

  • Knolls Elementary School in Simi Valley, CA:  Reading with Music and Art - K-6 grade teachers developed a plan to integrate music and art into their reading curriculum by using CD's with songs that go along with weekly literature stories.
  • Markham Elementary School in Oakland, CA:  Be Proud of The Skin You're In - The students will read "The Skin I'm In" by Sharon Flake and create their own illustrated biography about the color of the "skin they are in" Teaching tolerance and conflict management.
  • R.O. Gibson Elementary in Las Vegas, NV:  Reading with Bravery and Courage - Sixth grade reading will conduct literature circles as part of the curriculum. The students will use four books that will be assigned based on reading level and ability. Throughout reading the novels, the students will focus on the overall theme of Bravery and Courage. The students will then complete a layered curriculum project, ending in a class presentation.Pinon Hills Elementary in Minden, NV:  Reading Interventions - The teacher will purchase Rigby books aimed at reaching readers who require extra support in their reading development. These specific books have repeated characters that help students develop background knowledge on the characters which in turn helps them develop deep connections from book to book.
  • PS 153 Adam Clayton Powell Elementary School in New York City: READy for An Adventure - Taps into the interests and curiosity of readers by expanding the classroom library and enhancing the reading environment. A selection of high-quality challenging fiction and nonfiction texts will support the students in designing their own book clubs and literature circles.


About Reading is The way up®

Seeking to better the education of our future leaders, City National in April 2002 launched a multi-faceted initiative to restock the state's school library system. Since then, the award-winning program has:

  • Donated more than 115,000 books to Nashville, California, New York and Nevada school libraries.
  • Awarded over $500,000 to teachers at elementary, middle and high schools for creative literacy projects.
  • Awarded $10,000 to the Children's Defense Fund-California Urban Lights Freedom Schools program in support of after school enrichment curriculum.
  • Received the 2005 President's Volunteer Service Award, the 2005 Corporate Philanthropy Award from the Los Angeles Public Library, the 2006 Corporate Award from the Getty House Foundation, the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Corporate Citizen Award, and honored as the 2007 Corporate Visionary Partner by the Wonder of Reading.
The Reading is the Way Up Fund is a 501(c)(3) administered by the California Community Foundation.  For more information, visit www.readingisthewayup.org.
About City National

City National Bank is the wholly owned subsidiary of City National Corporation (NYSE: CYN). It is backed by $23.7 billion in total assets, and provides banking, investment and trust services through 79 offices, including 16 full-service regional centers, in Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, Nevada, New York City, Nashville, Tenn., and Atlanta. The company and its investment affiliates manage or administer $54.5 billion in client investment assets, including more than $31 billion under direct management.

For more information about City National, visit the company's Website at cnb.com.

City National Bank

Reading is The way up

2012 Literacy Grant Recipients

California Teachers, Schools and Literacy Project

Alhambra

  • Shelia Sutton, Mark Keppel High School, "Drop Everything and Read"

Anaheim

  • Elizabeth Turner, Madison (James) Elementary, "Fiction Development"
  • Elizabeth Turner, Mann (Horace) Elementary, "New Books for Library"
  • Eric Slay, Betsy Ross Elementary, "Student Eyewitnesses: Reading to Learn"
  • Tina Fristensky, St. Catherine's Academy, "Accelerated Reader for All"

Costa Mesa

  • Gabriel Del Real, Adams Elementary, "Rich, Varied and Wide Reading for Every Student"
  • Niki Good, Whittier Elementary, "Reading Expands Learning"
  • Ryan Longacre, California Elementary, "Loyalists and Patriots: The Revolutionary War"

Canoga Park

  • Michelle Adams, Winnetka Avenue Elementary, "Music to our Ears"

Carlsbad

  • Dana Yates, Jefferson Elementary, "Building Reading Independence"

Covina

  • Kathleen Sahagian, Alice M. Ellington Elementary, "Take Home Books for All"

East Palo Alto

  • Chana Karlin-Neumann, East Palo Alto Charter, "Leveled Books for Growing Readers"
  • Geneva Europa, Aspire East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy, "Building Literacy Skills Through STEM"
  • Melissa Peiochino, East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy, "Phoenix Academy Needs Books"
  • Tiffany Pizzimenti, East Palo Alto Charter, "Social Studies and Science Leveled Readers"
  • Thomas Madson, Aspire East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy, "EPAPA Schoolwide Literacy Focus Launch - Fiction"

El Sobrante

  • Kathleen Grady, Juan Crespi Middle School, "Engaging Reluctant Readers at Juan Crespi"

Encino

  • Jessica Mustard, Lanai Road Elementary, "K-Books: Self-Control & Social Skills"
  • Susan Cummings, Encino Elementary, "Enthusiastic Readers: Book Replacement Project"

Inglewood

  • Terri Norwood, Parent (Frank D.) Elementary, "Frogs"

La Honda

  • Kristen Lindstrom, La Honda Elementary, "LHES Reading Club"

Los Angeles

  • Beverly Glass, Hancock Park Elementary, "For the Love of Reading and Writing"
  • Deena Vatcher, Open Magnet Charter School, "Open School of Muggle Studies"
  • Felix Antonio, Nativity School, "Accelerated Reader Books"
  • Gessell Merino, Allesandro Elementary, "Literacy and Drama"
  • Glenn Kitayama, Third Street Elementary, "Get the News: Hear (and Learn) All About It"
  • James Carmicle, Hollywood High School, "Advanced Placement English Language Literacy Enhancement"
  • James Whalen, Carthay Center Elementary, "SMARTboard Senteo Response System"
  • Jennifer Perez, St. Ignatius of Loyola, "Reading for Life"
  • Jessica Perez, Vista Charter Middle School, "Greek Heroes Puppet Theatre"
  • Joseph Murillo, St. Turibus School, "Family Literacy Nights/Family Math Nights"
  • Karla Briceno, St. Columbkille School, "Motivating Students to Read"
  • Kathi Sweet, Community Magnet Charter Elementary, "Artists & Authors"
  • Kevin Donohue, St. Michael's Catholic School, "Reading to Social Studies Connections"
  • Laura Anicich, St. Brendan School, "The Brendan Bear"
  • Tony Semaan, Hollenbeck Middle School, "Science Fair Project"
  • Vanessa Beverly, "Woodcrest Nazarene Christian School, "Reading is The Only Way Up"

Lynwood

  • Kathleen Graham, Washington Elementary, "Literacy: A Balancing Act"

Moraga

  • Margrethe Ramirez, Los Perales Elementary, "LP iPads for Fluency"

Newport Beach

  • Kerri Bordelon, Newport Heights Elementary, "Soaring to New Reading 'Heights' in First Grade"

Newark

  • Bonny Schleicher, Steller Academy For Dyslexics, "Required Reading"

Norwalk

  • Cynthia Reichwein, St. Linus School, "AR Books to Improve and Encourage Reading"

Oakland

  • Drea Beale, Lighthouse Community Charter, "I Want to Read This: A Classroom Library Upgrade"
  • Nikita Gibbs, Markham Elementary, "Be Proud of the Skin You're In"
  • Patricia Littlefield, Bret Harte Middle School, "After School Mini-Reading Clubs"
  • Sherene Judeh, Lighthouse Community Charter High, "We Love A Good Mystery"

Pacoima

  • Sandy Creith, Telfair Avenue Elementary, "Everybody Reads! Roving 4th Grade Class Library"

Pinole

  • Amy Catania, Pinole Valley High School, "Science as Success"

Placentia

  • Melissa Gifford, Sierra Vista Elementary, "The World Café"
  • Shirleen St. Clair, Charles Wagner Elementary, "We are Unique…Help us Learn"

Poway

  • Katherine Powell, Poway High School, "Student Book Discussion Group"

Redlands

  • Rosalba Schessler, Franklin Elementary, "The Hellen Keller Project: Reading for All"

Riverside

  • Holly Neuman, Frank Augustus Miller Middle School, "Saturday Language Arts Academy"
  • Kathy Bowman, Poly High School, "Curl Up with a Good Book"
  • Mary Michalak, Frank Augustus Miller Middle School, "Hungry for Literature"
  • Yvonne Weinstein, Frank Augustus Miller Middle School, "Parent/Student Book Club"

Santa Ana

  • Paul Marsden, Rosita Elementary, "Operation Roadrunner"

San Carlos

  • EmmaLou Moore, San Carlos Charter Learning Center, "Classroom Audio Book Listening Stations"

San Diego

  • Stacy Bermingham, Monarch School, "I-Pad Utilization Project"
  • Susan Cooper, Los Penasquitos Elementar, "Updating Library Books"
  • Teal Correia, Magnolia Science Academy San Diego, "Literacy Grants Program/Our School Library"

San Francisco

  • Alexandre Petrakis, El Dorado Elementary, "Reading is Action-Packed"
  • Kay Hones, Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary, "Make a Book Faire"
  • Molly Lazarus, Balboa High School, "Accessible Teen Books for English Language Learners"
  • Morgan Dox, Meadows-Livingstone School, "Library Books"
  • Nancy Good, Cornerstone Academy, "Literacy Program (Pilot - Phase 3)"
  • Pete Hammer, Phillip and Sala Burton Academic High, "How Will eReaders Influence Student Reading"

Simi Valley

  • Bonny Porter, Knolls Elementary, "Reading with Music and Art"
  • Brenda Montaine, A. Lincoln Elementary, "Accelerated Reader Library Update & Lincoln Entertainer's Drama Club"
  • Dana Johnson, Lincoln Elementary, "The Amazing Adventure into Ant-ology"

Sunnyvale

  • Kay Gehring, Cupertino Middle School, "Classroom Listening Center"

Van Nuys

  • Suzanne Osman, Van Nuys Senior High School, "Weekly School Library Book Club"

Westminster

  • Roisin McAree, Blessed Sacrament School, "Reading Program for English Language Learners"

Nevada Teacher, Schools and Literacy Project

Carson City

  • Chris Mauldin, Mark Twain Elementary, "Literacy Devices"

Gardnerville

  • Leslie Flynn, Gardnerville Elementary, "Communication Through Art, Music and Motion"

Las Vegas

  • Douglas Taylor, Bertha Ronzone Elementary, "Does Technology Build Stronger Readers"
  • Shelley Kress, R.O. Gibson Middle School, "Reading with Bravery and Courage"
  • Pamela Hays, Vail Pittman Elementary, "Reader's Nook"

Minden

  • Hollie Harvey, Pinon Hills Elementary, "Reading Interventions"

North Las Vegas

  • Cheryl Fennewald, Ruby Duncan Elementary, "A Quest to Read and Achieve"
  • Michele Cobb, Marion Cahlan Edison Elementary, "Modeling Fluency for Language Learners"

Reno

  • Melissa Leahey, Silver Lake Elementary, "Diving into Junior Great Books"

Sparks

  • Victoria Hardy, Sparks Middle School, "Family Literacy Night Events"

New York Teacher, School and Project

New York City

  • Jeffrey Gross, PS 153 Adam Clayton Powell, "Ready for an Adventure"