Hello Father Andrew White Parents and Students,

 

It’s hard to believe that it’s time to talk about our school summer reading program already, but we only have a few more days until summer vacation begins.

 

It is very important that all students continue to read during the summer to maintain, or even improve their reading levels before coming back to school in August.  When we STAR test students in August, it is always very obvious who has and who has not been reading over the summer.  We encourage you to continue reading with your children and to help them find books that are appropriate for their reading level.

 

You will be able to find books at all reading levels and all subject areas at www.arbookfind.com .  This website is very user friendly, and with the advanced search feature you may search by keyword, author name, book title, AR reading (ATOS) level, interest level and more.

 

This summer, we will be using the same reading program that is being used by our St. Mary’s County Public Library.  Many of you already participate in the Public Library summer reading program and are familiar with how it works.  The theme for K-5th graders this summer is “Dig Into Reading”, and for 6-8th graders, the theme is “Beneath the Surface”.  You may register for the program in person, at the public library, or online through the links provided below.

 

The Dig Into Reading program, for grades K-5, includes a written Reading Log and a Game Board with 24 short activities to be completed throughout the summer.  If your child participates through the public library, they may take their Game Board to the library as activities are completed, and receive small prizes along the way.  At the end of summer, the library will report the names of all participants to me.  If you choose not to participate at the public library, you should register your child online at http://www.stmalib.org/kids/kids-program/ , and then turn in the Game Board and Reading Log to their teacher the first week back to school.  Mrs. Gaston will also provide a required “summer packet” to students who are moving to 1st Grade next year.  Teachers in Grades 2 – 5 require that each student read and log at least 3 books within their AR Reading Level during the summer.  All students have been STAR Tested this week and AR Reading Levels will be sent home at the end of the school year.

 

Grades 6-8 will participate in the Beneath the Surface summer reading program.  Registration can be done at the Public Library or online at http://www.stmalib.org/teens/teen-programs/.  All students are asked to fill in a circle on the Game Board for each book review completed, library program participated in and each 20 minutes of reading.  If the game boards are taken to the library throughout the summer, students will receive a prize and could possibly win a Kindle, iPod shuffle, digital camera and more.  If you choose not to participate at the public library, your child should turn in the completed Game Board to their teacher the first week back to school.   Teachers in Grades 6 – 8 require that each student read and log at least 3 books within their AR Reading Level during the summer.  All students have been STAR Tested this week and AR Reading Levels will be sent home at the end of the school year.

 

If you have any questions, please email me at fawslibrary@fatherandrewwhite.org before school ends or anytime during the summer.

Have a GREAT summer and Happy Reading!!!

 

Sincerely,

Mrs. Pietsch