Dear Parents,
At Siwanoy, we believe that literacy – the ability to read, write and understand – is the birthright of every child, as well as the pathway to succeed in school and to realize a complete life. And we know that for kids, summer can be a season full of learning opportunities…or learning losses. Research confirms
that students who don’t read over the summer typically score lower on reading comprehension tests when they return to school. Many teachers tell us that every fall, they can see the results of the “summer slide.”
Did you know that students who score in the 90th percentile read almost two million words per year outside of school? That’s more than 200 times more words than a student at the 10th percentile, who reads only 8,000 words outside of school per year. Reading, like any skill, requires practice, and it’s important that students take the time to read over the summer in order to keep their skills sharp.
Reading together also strengthens the connection between you and your child – here are a few ways you can promote summer reading in your own home:
• Share the books that you loved as a kid with your own child
• Start a Family Book Club, and enjoy the same book together
• Encourage your kids to choose the books they want to read
This summer, I invite your children to visit this website often and join the Siwanoy Summer Challenge. This year's challenge encourages children to set their own goals, track their progress, and keep their reading skills sharp over the summer. At Siwanoy, we believe that reading IS the reward, but this summer, the Siwanoy PTA is offering additional incentive to read: For every ten books your child reads, the Siwanoy PTA will contribute one book to Amazing Afternoons -- an after- school enrichment and academic support program for Mount Vernon's Edward Williams Elementary School. The Amazing Afternoons program was dear to Felicia Brewer, a Pelham mom who passed away in 2008.
On SiwanoySummerReading.com kids can find great books to read, cool websites and fun activities. They can also recommend their favorite books to their friends and classmates. The website will be a new way for the Siwanoy community to stay connected over the summer. I will be updating my blog regularly with news and reading inspiration.
You can get involved too!
• Help your child set his or her Summer Challenge Goals and stay on track
• Find expert tips to encourage your child to read more this summer
• Download summer reading book lists and head to the library
• Print recommended Siwanoy Summer Activities sheets and more
• Encourage your child to submit book recommendations
Be sure to check out the tips and links we've added to the Parent's Corner...
Have a great summer, and happy reading!
Susan Gilbert
Siwanoy Principal
that students who don’t read over the summer typically score lower on reading comprehension tests when they return to school. Many teachers tell us that every fall, they can see the results of the “summer slide.”
Did you know that students who score in the 90th percentile read almost two million words per year outside of school? That’s more than 200 times more words than a student at the 10th percentile, who reads only 8,000 words outside of school per year. Reading, like any skill, requires practice, and it’s important that students take the time to read over the summer in order to keep their skills sharp.
Reading together also strengthens the connection between you and your child – here are a few ways you can promote summer reading in your own home:
• Share the books that you loved as a kid with your own child
• Start a Family Book Club, and enjoy the same book together
• Encourage your kids to choose the books they want to read
This summer, I invite your children to visit this website often and join the Siwanoy Summer Challenge. This year's challenge encourages children to set their own goals, track their progress, and keep their reading skills sharp over the summer. At Siwanoy, we believe that reading IS the reward, but this summer, the Siwanoy PTA is offering additional incentive to read: For every ten books your child reads, the Siwanoy PTA will contribute one book to Amazing Afternoons -- an after- school enrichment and academic support program for Mount Vernon's Edward Williams Elementary School. The Amazing Afternoons program was dear to Felicia Brewer, a Pelham mom who passed away in 2008.
On SiwanoySummerReading.com kids can find great books to read, cool websites and fun activities. They can also recommend their favorite books to their friends and classmates. The website will be a new way for the Siwanoy community to stay connected over the summer. I will be updating my blog regularly with news and reading inspiration.
You can get involved too!
• Help your child set his or her Summer Challenge Goals and stay on track
• Find expert tips to encourage your child to read more this summer
• Download summer reading book lists and head to the library
• Print recommended Siwanoy Summer Activities sheets and more
• Encourage your child to submit book recommendations
Be sure to check out the tips and links we've added to the Parent's Corner...
Have a great summer, and happy reading!
Susan Gilbert
Siwanoy Principal
