Press Releases
05/08/2018
Gov. Malloy Launches Annual Summer Reading Challenge at State Library
2017 Top-Performing Schools and Students at the Connecticut State Library
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy, State Department of Education Commissioner Dianna R. Wentzell, the State Library’s Director of Library Development Dawn LaValle, and school representatives from across the state today launched the 2018 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge at the Connecticut State Library. Governor Malloy also announced the 2018 summer reading challenge theme “Libraries Rock!” and recognized the top-performing schools from the 2017 Summer Reading Challenge.
“Research shows that reading is crucial to a child’s brain development and intellectual stimulation and sets the foundation for all other learning,” Governor Malloy said. “However, many young people who do not keep their minds active during the summer break will suffer learning setbacks and can lose more than two months’ progress in reading achievement. The Summer Reading Challenge is a fun way to ensure that the knowledge students developed during the school year does not stall over the course of their summer vacations.”
The Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge is a statewide program coordinated by the Connecticut State Department of Education in conjunction with the Connecticut State Library. Schools compete based on student population and grade level. The Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge identifies the schools with the highest percentage of participating enrollment and the highest number of books read by participating students at the end of the summer then recognizes those participants.
“The Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to continue to practice their reading skills so they don’t lose all the progress they made during the past school year. It also allows children to discover the joy of getting into a great book that will lead to a lifelong love of reading,” Commissioner Wentzell said. “Congratulations to all of the schools and students being honored today and thank you to all of our school and library partners for helping to make this program a success.”
Research indicates that children who do not read during the summer can lose reading progress made during the past school year. The Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge encourages all students to read, learn, and have fun with books during the summer months to help prevent summer learning loss. Students have read millions of books since the program began in 1996. The summer reading program also supports community initiatives run by local public libraries and recognizes “Outstanding Public Library-School Partnerships.”
The top-performing schools from the 2017 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge that were honored today include:
Elementary Schools
- Alcott Elementary School – Wolcott Public Schools
- Booth Free School – Regional School District 12
- Burnham School – Regional School District 12
- Frisbie Elementary School – Wolcott Public Schools
- Kent Center School – Regional School District 1
- Wakelee Elementary School – Wolcott Public Schools
- Washington Primary School – Regional School District 12
Middle Schools
- Amity Middle School-Bethany – Regional School District 5
- Ellington Middle School – Ellington Public Schools
- HALS Academy – Consolidated School District of New Britain
- Irving A. Robbins Middle School – Farmington Public Schools
- Tyrrell Middle School – Wolcott Public Schools
High Schools
- Guilford High School – Guilford Public Schools
- Norwich Technical High School – Connecticut Technical Education and Career System
- Shelton High School – Shelton Public Schools
Unique/Private Schools
- Connecticut Children’s Place School – Unified School District #2
- Riverview School – Unified School District #2
- St. Francis-St. Hedwig School – Archdiocese of Hartford
- Talcott Mountain Academy
More information on the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge is available on the State Department of Education’s website.
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