As summer approaches we think how to best support each student’s continued growth. Staggering research indicates that students from low-income communities often lose three months of learning over the summer. Their wealthier peers typically gain the equivalent of one month each summer.[1] Every summer the gap widens.
Research suggests that reading a significant number of the right books can help eliminate the gap, so we are launching a Summer Lending Library to send every student home with engaging books. Building this library will cost $27,000, or $50 per student. We’ve raised $21,000, but we still need funds to ensure that every student will have books this summer.
Students will choose 8-12 books from lists created by teachers to maximize challenge and engagement. Bookplates will honor the donor or someone special. The books will become part of an enduring Summer Lending Library that will benefit students for years to come.
Help us put books in the hands of our students this summer:
- $100 will support summer reading for 2 students
- $250 will support summer reading for 5 students
- $3000 will support summer reading for an entire grade level
Click the button below to make an on-line donation.
Don’t forget to include your Bookplate Dedication as you check out!
Click here to download a form to return by mail.
While we have much to celebrate as a community, we know there is more to do. Summer is right around the corner, so we appreciate your help in making this summer an enriching one for our students. Thank you for your continued support of our school community!
With gratitude,
Rebeca Filomeno-Nason
First Grade Teacher
Michael McGuigan
Middle Grades Social Studies Teacher
Maureen Nosal
Fifth Grade Teacher
P.S. We will be assessing where our students’ summer reading adventures take them and we’ll report what we learn to you next Fall.
[1] Allington and McGill-Franzen, “Use Students’ Summer-Setback Months to Raise Minority Achievement,” Phi Delta Kappan, November 2003.
