Students at West Pembroke Primary School decided that they would build a bridge as their contribution to the new Millennium.

And even though it was made out of cardboard, they were proud of their accomplishment.

Teachers challenged students from all grades to read 2,000 books in the last 20 days of the fall term.

"We decided to do this as part of our push toward literacy,'' said principal Carole Figueiredo.

The `Reading for Success Bridge' was constructed out of cardboard by students and teachers and then 2,000 bricks were drawn in to be used as markers of success.

Once a student finished a book and was quizzed to make sure he or she had read the book, a brick in the `Reading for Success Bridge' was coloured in until the bridge was completed.

"Students actually read more than 2,000 books,'' she said.

Parents were asked to sponsor the students 2,000 pennies ($20) to help encourage them to meet their goal and to raise money for the purchase of new books for the school library.

"It was funny, we were expecting parents to send us the $20, but some parent actually sent us the 2,000 pennies,'' said Mrs. Figueiredo.

Since some of the money is still to be collected the total amount raised has not yet been determined.

However, Mrs. Figueiredo said she felt that as long as the students had fun, learned something and continue to read, then the idea was a success.