Summer Reading Parent Letter

Dear Parent(s) and/or Guardian(s),

With the end of the school year quickly upon us, we know that you are making plans for your child’s summer activities. While the summer months are a welcome opportunity for fun and relaxation, the break from school activities often causes students to experience a lag in learning returning to school in the fall. This lag in learning is often referred to as the“Summer Slide”. The summer slide can result in students losing two to three months of reading proficiency.

In an effort to lessen this effect, DC Public Schools’s Elementary English Language Arts (ELA) and Library Programs teams are encouraging all elementary students and rising middle schoolers to participate in DC Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge through providing incentives for students to read over the summer.

It’s easy! Just sign up online at dclibrary.beanstack.org/reader365 or visit your neighborhood library [see back for details]. Both you and your child(ren) can participate! Read at least 20 minutes every day and log your progress. There are prizes each month! For more information on the prizes that you may earn, visit dclibrary.org/summerchallenge.

Show us what you and your child(ren) are reading by tweeting us @DCElementaryELA and @DCPL and using the hashtags #DCPSReads and #Read20. We may retweet you!

We hope that you will encourage your child(ren) to read over the summer months. Reading with your child(ren) and in their presence is a powerful model that can last a lifetime.

Educationally yours,
The Elementary ELA and Library Programs Teams