Panthers are WILD About Reading!
Did you know? Last summer (2023), our students read a combined 160,088 minutes!!!
Join the Summer Reading Program!
(updated for summer 2024)
The Summer Reading Adventure is an optional program to help VPE students retain the knowledge and skills they learned in the previous school year.
The Adventure begins on May 25 and ends August 12*.
* This is day before the first day of school; in the event the first day of school is delayed, the adventure will continue!
Students may choose to explore ANY one of these three trails:
Trail #1—Jungle Cubs: for our newest explorers!
Draw a picture that represents a book they read (or listened to) over the summer. Students who submit a picture will be invited to the Summer Reading Celebration. Students will receive a certificate and a cool treat!
Trail #2—Casual Traveler: for our students who are just along for the ride!
Students who turn in the 3-book tracker will be invited to the Summer Reading Celebration. Students will receive a certificate and a cool treat!
Trail #3—Ultimate Explorer: for our extreme adventurers!
Students who log and record their reading minutes will be eligible to compete for prizes among their peers! Gift cards will be awarded to the top 3 students with the most minutes within in each grade and within the whole school. Students will also receive a certificate and a cool treat!
the Ultimate Explorer
Students who record their reading minutes and submit their completed logs will be eligible to compete for the top prizes among their peers. Gift cards will be awarded to the top 3 students with the most minutes in each grade and the top 3 students in the whole school.
Eligibility Requirements
-
Minutes must be recorded using the PTO Summer Reading Minutes Log.
-
Completed reading logs, with the GRAND TOTAL of minutes read, must be turned in at school or submitted online by August 31.
-
Upload your reading logs and verify the total number of minutes read using the online submission form (available in your PTO Forms list after August 1).
the Casual traveler
Some kids just don't want to track their reading minutes, and that's okay! For the casual summer readers, we still want to recognize them for their efforts.
Students who turn in the Summer Reading 3-Book Tracker will receive an invitation to the Summer Reading Celebration but will not be eligible for prizes. Students will receive a certificate and a cool treat!
The Jungle Cub (new for 2024!)
This new trail is for our littlest Panthers! Use this coloring page and ask your student to draw a picture that represents a book that they read or listened to this summer. Students who turn in a coloring page will receive an invitation to the Summer Reading Celebration and will receive a certificate and a cool treat!
Parents - be sure to complete and submit the online form by August 31 so that your Adventurer is rewarded for all their hard work this summer!
-
Go to PTO Forms
-
Scroll down to the Information Forms section
-
Forms will be listed for each of your active students
-
Select the appropriate reading submission - you DO NOT need to submit all three
-
Complete the required fields and upload your child's logs/tracker/coloring page or let us know that hard copies were turned in to your child's teacher
-
Be sure to click the "Save and Submit" button!
Submissions are due by August 31!
Reading Tips
-
Encourage your child to read at least 15-20 minutes every day, or a minimum of 5 books during summer break.
-
Find one or two books your whole family can read together and discuss - it's like your own little book club!
-
It is OK for your child to read anything at their reading level that interests them: comics, magazines, graphic novels, news articles, books, etc.
-
Don’t forget to take reading material with you when you go on trips or while you wait at lessons, appointments, etc.
-
Use the public library to check out books.
-
Use your reading minutes to "double-dip" in additional reading programs from the library and local bookstores. See the Resources section below for links.
Resources
Reading Logs & Trackers
Local Resources
-
Mid-Continent Public Library Summer Library Program & Dial-a-Story
- Lakeshore Learning Summer Reading List - book ideas
- Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Journal (English) & (Spanish) - earn a free book through the BN summer reading program for kids in Grades 1-6 (please read all the fine print details on the BN form)
Benefits of Summer Reading
-
Scholastic: Kids & Family Reading Report, The Summer Reading Imperative
-
Study.com: Why Is Summer Reading So Important for Kids' Success?
-
27 Awesome Free (or Low-Cost) Websites for Practicing Reading
Questions? Contact Renee, Summer Reading Adventure Coordinator