Welcome to the 2012 West Babylon School District Summer Reading Program. This summer, I invite you to enjoy one of my favorite pastimes, reading. Kick off your shoes, dig your feet into the sand, and read at least 2 books. Perhaps, you can set a goal of reading more books than you read last summer. This will help you avoid the infamous summer slump in which reading ability decreases during the summer months due to poor reading habits.

Once again the district will “go green” and post information about summer reading only on the district website. You can view the summer reading packets online. Sierra McKenna, West Babylon SHS Art Department student, under the direction of art teacher, Christine Iaquinto, has created bookmarks and posters.

Families can download the summer reading grade-level packets and information from the district website. If this is not an option, you may obtain a copy at your school building’s main office or go to the West Babylon Public Library where you may use a computer to print up to 10 pages for free.

Requirements for Incoming Grades 1-5:

• Read at least 2 books from the grade-appropriate lists that are noted on the website
• Complete 2 summer reading response logs and hand them in by Monday, September 24, 2012
• As an option, complete 10 of the One World, Many Stories Passport Extra Credit Activities  and submit only the Passport, not the projects, by Monday, September 24, 2012

Requirements for Incoming Grades 6-8:

• Read at least 2 books, one from the appropriate grade-level list and one other of your own choosing that is parentally approved
• For the book of choice, complete a Statement Regarding Book Choice and submit it to your teacher
• For both books, print out and - carefully and thoroughly - fill in note packets for each book (these will count as extra credit for each book read)
• For the book of your own choosing, complete 1 written Reader's Response of 100-150 words either online or by hand and submit it by Monday, September 24, 2012
• For the book chosen from the list, participate fully in an in-class book talk (on or about September 24) with several of your peers who read the same book from the grade-appropriate list
• Complete assessment tools: a rubric and checklist after the book talk

Requirements for Incoming Grades 9-12:

• Read at 2 books, one from the appropriate grade-level list and one other of your own choosing that is parentally approved
• For the book of choice, complete a Statement Regarding Book Choice  and submit it to your teacher
• For both books, print out and - carefully and thoroughly - fill in the graphic organizers provided on this website (these will count as extra credit for each book read)
• For the book chosen from the list, participate fully in an in-class book talk (on or about September 24) with several of your peers who read the same book from the grade-appropriate list
• For the book of your own choosing, write an extended paragraph Reader's Response
• Complete assessment tools: a rubric and checklist for the book talk

Please Note: Students entering the West Babylon School District after August 15, 2012 are required to read 1 book from the grade-appropriate list and complete 1 reading response log.

During the summer months, students can find all of the summer reading books and a variety of books on tape at the West Babylon Public Library. Azuree Agnello and Ilana Beckerman Silver, West Babylon public librarians, are available to assist students in the selection of books.  

Thank you for participating in the 2012 Summer Reading Program that will officially close on Monday, September 24, 2012. I hope that all young readers will enjoy the summer of 2012 and the enrichment experiences because reading matters.  

Sincerely,