Bing visited San Vicente Elementary School with his first crate of storybooks last June 14, 2007. Unbeknown to him, the principal, Ms. Emely Pelobello, had arranged for a formal book donation ceremony, with all the department heads and English teachers invited. The highlight of the ceremony was the demonstration of reading comprehension by a select group of Grade 2 children. They listened to a story read aloud by an English teacher from a “big book” entitled “The Underground Dance” and then answered questions by the teacher.

Two weeks later, on June 27, Bing dropped in at the school with little advance notice. He brought another crate of storybooks, plus used storybooks for middle school readers (grades 4-6), a new set of Disney Children’s encyclopedia set of 24 volumes, and some used reference books.

The school officials were proud to show off their reading corners, with the first batch of Accenture-OSSFF donated storybooks in full display.

On June 29, two days after the visit to San Vicente, Bing arranged for a personal visit to 15th Avenue Elementary School,

Principal Jay Ureta opens the book-giving cermony

with a promise to bring two crates worth of storybooks and reference books, including a new Disney Children’s Encyclopedia set.

As with San Vicente, Bing was surprised to know that the whole school had been asked to turn out at the covered court for a formal turnover ceremony. This included an impressive demonstration of a dozen Grade 2 pupils who demonstrated their synchronized group reading skills. Principal Jay Ureta also showed off his “hanging libraries” - baskets containing storybooks tied to trees - located at strategic points throughout the school. The books donations would be apportioned out to the school’s various hanging libraries.