Earlier today, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) kicked off his 2018 Summer Reading Challenge by honoring last year’s champions, the students from Spencer-Van Etten Elementary School. Palmesano partnered with Shurfine Foodmart manager Don Mattison to throw a celebratory ice cream party to reward the avid readers.

“I’m very impressed by the students of Spencer-Van Etten Elementary, and I want to thank them for their participation in our Summer Reading program and congratulate them on their championship performance. I am so pleased you spent last summer improving your reading skills. I hope we’ve played a small part in sparking a lifelong love of reading and learning for each of you. Congratulations, and good luck during this year’s Summer Reading Challenge,” said Palmesano.

“Great job by the Spencer-Van Etten Elementary School champion readers, and thank you to Assemblyman Palmesano for his outstanding commitment to summer reading through the Summer Reading Challenge. It’s so important and we look forward to opportunities throughout this summer to join our local public libraries and other groups and organizations to encourage and help students and their families enjoy the benefits and the rewards of summer reading together,” said Sen. Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats).

“Congratulations to the students at Spencer-Van Etten Elementary for your impressive commitment to literacy and learning! This is a wonderful program. I want to thank the parents, students, faculty and staff at Spencer-Van Etten for empowering these kids and encouraging them to succeed,” said Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats).

“Literacy is a foundational and fundamental skill that is promoted constantly at Spencer-Van Etten Elementary School,” said Principal Matthew Stroup.

“I would like to thank Assemblyman Palmesano for his support of the Summer Reading Challenge, for his continued support of the Spencer-Van Etten School District and his support of public education in the Southern Tier. ‘Together We Achieve’ passionate readers and lifelong learners,” said Superintendent Dr. Joseph Morgan.

"This is an outstanding program. I'm proud to join the Spencer Van-Etten Elementary faculty and staff and Assemblyman Palmesano to congratulate these kids on a job well done. I'm proud to join Assemblyman Palmesano in encouraging our kids to continue their education during the summer months. Thanks again to Assemblyman Palmesano, the entire faculty and staff at Spencer Van-Etten Elementary, the devoted parents who tracked their kids’ progress and, most of all, to these students, for making great choices. It’s great to see that Assemblyman Palmesano has a commitment to traveling around and investing in his entire district," said Chemung County Legislator Brian Hyland.

Shurfine Foodmart Manager Don Mattison said, "the Spencer Shurfine Foodmart is pleased to support programs that help young people keep their minds active, and the Summer Reading Challenge certainly fits the bill. We're proud to partner with Assemblyman Palmesano to promote literacy. Congratulations to the students at Spencer VanEtten Elementary School!

To participate in this year’s challenge, parents or guardians mark the calendar on the Summer Reading Challenge brochure for each day in July and August that the student reads. If the child fulfills their reading goals, they earn a New York State Assembly Excellence in Reading Certificate. The winning school earns an ice cream celebration the subsequent year by achieving the highest participation rate based on enrollment.

Additional brochures are available from Palmesano’s district office by calling 607-776-9691.