As the end of the school year approaches, Assemblyman Santabarbara is encouraging local children to participate in his annual Summer Reading Challenge. This year’s theme is “Libraries Rock!” motivating young readers to visit their local library and discover all the fun, free services they have to offer. Young readers who participate will be awarded with an Excellence in Reading certificate from Assemblyman Santabarbara recognizing their efforts and dedication.

“The reading that children do over the summer not only allows them to broaden their imaginations and discover exciting new books, it also puts them a step ahead when they return to school in the fall”, said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “This year’s theme ‘Libraries Rock’ is a great way to showcase all of the educational and fun services our local libraries provide beyond books.”

The challenge asks children to read a book for a minimum of 15 minutes a day for at least 40 days during July and August. Children can read on their own or partner with family and friends to mark off days on the calendar provided. Once they’ve completed 40 days or more, they submit the calendar to Assemblyman Santabarbara’s office to receive their certificate. To request a Summer Reading Challenge calendar, students and parents may request copies on Assemblyman Santabarbara’s website at www.nyassembly.gov/Santabarbara.

“Reading requires continuous practice, and this challenge can help to ensure that children build on the progress they make during the school year”, added Assemblyman Santabarbara.

Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara was joined by Larry Spring, Superintendent of Schenectady City School District, Kerri Messler, Coordinator of English, Language Arts and Library, Kristina Graves, Mont Pleasant Middle School Librarian, and Mont Pleasant Middle School Students to kick off the Summer Reading Challenge this morning.

“Thank you to Assemblyman Santabarbara for coming to Schenectady to kick off the summer reading initiative, bring awareness to the importance of libraries and for his ongoing support of our district,” said Superintendent Larry Spring. “It is very important that students have access to books and that they continue to read over the summer break. We will continue our efforts, this summer, to get books into the hands of kids to prevent summer slide and so that they will continue to grow as readers and learners.”

“Summer is an awesome time for our students to curl up with a great book - reread their favorites from the school year, try out a new genre, escape to faraway lands, talk to their friends about what they’ve read – in person or on social media, and to just relax and simply enjoy reading,” said Kerri Messler, Coordinator of English, Language Arts, and Library. “Our goal, with our partnerships, is to ensure that our students have access to books that serve as windows and mirrors for them and that summer is a time to fall in love with reading again.”