First grade students attending at-risk schools in Washoe County get a visit from the Reno Rodeo Reading Roundup team starting Tuesday, April 21st, at Bernice Matthews Elementary School in Reno at 1:00 p.m. Through a partnership with the Reno Rodeo Association and the Reno Rodeo Foundation, Reading Roundup assemblies will be held at 25 elementary schools this year. The Wells Fargo Foundation is helping to provide funding to support the program. The literacy program focuses on the three R’s – Reading, Rodeo, and Responsibility!
“We are grateful for the contributions of community partners like the Reno Rodeo,” said WCSD School Board Trustee Howard Rosenberg. “Providing books for our students is a wonderful service, and teaching lessons about the importance of becoming proficient, lifelong readers is so critical. We want to thank the foundation for its generosity and support on behalf of all of our children.”
During the assemblies, which are held at the school, the students learn the three R’s – Reading, Rodeo & Responsibility. Assembly presenters include Reno Rodeo Association volunteers, many times Miss Reno Rodeo and/or Queen Candidates, and the stars themselves… the horses. The emphasis is foremost on the importance of reading. Presenters often relate their own experiences with reading and discuss ways students might improve their reading skills, such as by reading to their siblings, relatives, and even their own animals.
The Reading Roundup program is another example of the Reno Rodeo’s commitment to helping Northern Nevada children. The Reno Rodeo provides the children with two books to take home, tickets to the Reno Rodeo in June and a Reno Rodeo Reading Roundup pencil pocket for school stamped with the Reno Rodeo Reading Roundup logo.
“Our volunteers have a fun way of talking to the first graders about the importance of reading, rodeo and responsibility. For many this may be the first book they’ve ever owned. The responsibility portion is our wonderful partnership with the BLM and Smokey the Bear to teach them fire safety.” Cowboys, horses, and helping kids….It’s a great combination and we are honored to assist our local educators,” says Francine Donshick, Committee Chairman.
SOURCE: Reno Rodeo
