Assemblymember Gabryszak Encourages Kids to Read During Their Summer Vacation, Participate in the Summer Reading Challenge

June 5, 2012

Summer vacation is almost here, but that doesn’t mean kids should hit the "off" switch and stop learning after the last dismissal bell rings. I believe it's extremely important for kids to read all summer long to keep them thinking and learning. That's why I'm encouraging students to participate in the New York State Assembly’s Summer Reading Challenge.

It's simple: in July and August, mark off each day your child reads – either with you or alone – for 15 minutes or more. After 40 days, your child will earn a New York State Assembly Excellence in Reading Certificate.

The Summer Reading Challenge is being held in coordination with the New York State Library's "Reading at New York Libraries" initiative.

Countless studies have shown that kids who read during the summer perform better than those who don't when they return to school in the fall. And your child doesn't have to read an epic novel to benefit from the positive effects of reading. Any reading that they enjoy – simple and short, or long and complex – is beneficial to helping kids with their literary skills and preventing learning loss during the dog days of summer vacation. And when kids like what they're reading, it helps them become better readers.

For videos and audio downloads to get kids excited and to learn more, please visit www.summerreadingnys.org. If you would like a copy of the Summer Reading Challenge brochure and calendar to fill out so that your child may qualify for the Assembly’s Excellence in Reading Certificate, please contact my office. And, as always, I encourage you to contact me if you would like more information about this or any other community issue by emailing me at gabryszakd@assembly.state.ny.us or calling my office at 686-0080.

You can also pick up a pamphlet – or a book – by stopping by one of these three fantastic libraries in our community:

• Lancaster Public Library – 5466 Broadway, Lancaster
• Anna M. Renstein Memorial Library – 2580 Harlem Road, Cheektowaga
• Julia Boyer Reinstein Library – 1030 Losson Road, Cheektowaga

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