June 18, 2018

Dear Parents and/or Guardians,

As the school year comes to a close, it’s time to start thinking about summer learning! Reading, writing, and practicing math skills during the summer months is an important way to keep students’ skills sharp, and helps in the transition from summer vacation to the school year.  Below are some requirements and suggestions for your child to work on over the summer.

We encourage students to read as often and as much as possible.  With that being said, we require students to read and reflect on at least two books of their own choosing over the summer.   Book choices should include one fiction and one non-fiction selection. After reading each book, your child will complete a “30 second book talk” using the Fiction Book Talk Template and Non-fiction Book Talk Template. Completed book talks will be turned in to your child’s Language Arts teacher at the beginning of the school year.  Teachers will then ask students to share their book talks with their classmates as part of the beginning of the year activities. In addition, we strongly encourage your child to record all summer reading on to the Governor’s Reading Journal: http://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/CTRead/SR2018_journal.pdf?la=en

Since students can choose books on topics that interest them, Mrs. Ledina, our library media specialist, has provided some suggestions to help them.   Please visit the “Curious about Summer Reading” section of the LMC website,  where Mrs. Ledina has  provided summer reading lists, information about the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge, and suggestions on how to pick out a “just right” book for your child. Some examples of 30 second book talks will also be available on this site.

Math activity calendars (July 5th Grade, August 5th Grade, July 6th Grade, August 6th Grade) provide fun activities that encourage ongoing practice of math skills and take only minutes to complete.  In addition to the calendar, the state has introduced the Commissioner’s Summer Math Challenge titled: Math All Around Us, for students exiting grades 1-8.  This exciting new program sends a daily math problem, via email, that provides your child with engaging math practice and opportunities to earn badges to track their progress. Schools with the highest participation will be recognized. 

We hope you will encourage your child to read, read, read and to participate in as many of the math challenges as possible.  We wish you a wonderful summer and look forward to seeing your children in late August!

Sincerely,

Pamela Kohn, Literacy Specialist & Jessica Fonovic, Math/Science Specialist