City National Bank helps open doors of opportunity for students

Students who attend Helen Jydstrup Elementary School, located near Jones Boulevard between Tropicana and Hacienda Avenues, often come from homes that are economically disadvantaged.

As an example, 100 percent of the school’s students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, so there is an abundant need for community support.

City National Bank saw the need nearly two decades ago, and the bank began partnering with the Clark County School District in 2002. Jydstrup Elementary School was the first school the bank assisted.

Paul Stowell, Nevada Regional Executive of City National Bank, says “education is at the forefront of City National Bank’s community outreach because it recognizes the future of our communities and country depends upon an educated workforce. The bank also recognizes that education is the key that opens the door of opportunities for students and their families.”

Along the way, City National Bank has been an instrumental partner with the school:

• City National Bank, with its education partner Barnes & Noble, has donated thousands of books and cash to the school as part of the bank’s Annual Holiday Book Drive.
• Teachers at the school, along with teachers at many other CCSD schools, have received thousands of dollars as part of the bank’s Teacher Literacy Grant program through its Reading is The way up program.
• City National Bank colleagues routinely volunteer at Jydstrup Elementary and other schools for Nevada Reading Week as well as Career Day.
• The bank has funded a Literacy Garden at Jydstrup Elementary School and provided backpacks filled with school supplies to numerous students from low-income families.
• City National Bank has taught financial literacy classes at Jydstrup and other schools as part of the bank’s Dollars & Sense program.

Christina Miani, the principal of Jydstrup Elementary School, says its partnership with City National Bank has helped support students – both at school and at home.

“The donations have provided students with the supplies, books and materials necessary to support academic success,” Miani says. Jydstrup Elementary School is a four-star school. Only 98 of the 362 CCSD schools merited a rating of four or five stars in the 2018-19 Nevada School Performance Framework, a noteworthy accomplishment.

“City National Bank values education. We are very appreciative of their ongoing support.”

In addition to its outreach to Jydstrup Elementary School, City National Bank has made extensive contributions to CCSD overall:

• City National Bank has sponsored renowned author visits to schools throughout CCSD, where these authors have spoken to thousands of students about their careers and how students can pursue a writing career.
• The bank supports Operation School Bell, with the Assistance League of Las Vegas, that supports low-income students throughout CCSD.
• City National Bank regularly volunteers at Three Square, filling bags of food for the Backpack for Kids program, which supports students at more than 120 elementary schools in the District.
• The bank is partnering with the Vegas Golden Nights and Zappos to support the Mayor’s Fund for Las Vegas – specifically, Mayor Carolyn Goodman’s Mobile Pre-K School program that takes mobile classrooms into low-income neighborhoods to help educate 3- and 4-year-olds so they are better prepared to enter kindergarten.

Stowell, when commenting on City National Bank’s philanthropy, notes the lasting impact of being involved in the community to effect positive change – today and in the future. “We have learned that community partnerships are one of the keys to the success of our students,” Stowell says.

If you would like to partner with CCSD, contact the School-Community Partnership Program at 702-799-6560.