Children at Glenwood Elementary School were treated to a special afternoon Wednesday, as Monarchs players Nicole Powell and Courtney Paris made a visit to host a Reading Timeout. Powell and Paris enjoyed spending time with the children, as they read books, signed autographs, posed for photos and answered questions. Each child was also presented with a Monarchs goodie bag from the players.

“Courtney and I had a really good time just reading with the kids and they were reading to us too so it was fun!” commented Nicole Powell with a smile after the event. Nicole added that “I remember being in school too and it’s always neat to have something different in your routine. I think the kids really enjoyed it.” The children are a part of the Sacramento START program, which is widely recognized as one of the most outstanding after school programs in the United States. The program fosters enthusiasm for learning through fun and structured activities in a safe and caring after school environment.

Read to Achieve is a year-round, league-wide initiative supported by NBA, WNBA and NBA D-League teams that promotes the values of reading and online literacy and encourages families and adults to read regularly with young children. The program includes thousands of reading timeouts, the donation of books and literacy materials and the creation of Reading and Learning Centers and Reading Corners throughout the world.

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