The Ponca City Public School System is committed to promoting literacy in our schools and throughout the community. For the past five years the district has purchased five new books for every PreK through 3rd Grade student in the district. The goal of this literacy initiative entitled “Got Books”, is to build students’ personal home libraries and to encourage reading over the summer months. Students will be receiving these book bundles during the week of May 16-20.

Every summer, students who do not read regularly typically lose between two to three months growth in regard to their reading level while those who read regularly make gains in reading comprehension and vocabulary development through wide reading.

Students work hard all school year to make gains in their reading proficiency often to lose the gains they made over the summer months. This is referred to as the “Summer Slump” or the “Summer Slide.”

With parental support and guidance students can maintain grade level reading status and even experience growth. To ensure your child stays on track and does not experience the “summer slump,” set a goal for your child to read at least 3-5 days each week throughout the summer months. Try the strategies listed below to help your child improve his/her reading this summer. Our district’s hope is that the families of our students will make a commitment this summer to read every day.

Reading tips include: When your child reads, listen patiently. New readers often read slowly. Offer help when your child gets stuck, and always give praise and encouragement. When you read, use expression and stop occasionally to predict what might happen next or discuss interesting parts of the book. Do not worry about reading the same book over and over. As long as your child is engaged they will benefit. Set a routine reading time that is consistent each day like right before your child goes to sleep or right after they eat lunch. After your child reads a book or after you read to them ask them questions about the story. Most importantly, build a reading relationship with your child. Enjoy your reading time together! It should be nurturing, fun, and something to look forward to each day.

Our local city library located at 515 E. Grand, offers summer reading programs that are packed full of fun engaging activities and opportunities to incorporate weekly reading into your family’s summer routine. The district encourages families to take advantage of these reading opportunities.

It’s hard to keep up a reading routine in a season packed with distractions and diversions. These suggestions will fit into a busy schedule and make reading fun! Parents really can make all the difference in regard to combating the “Summer Slump.” Commit to reading over the summer and place your child at the head of the class when school resumes in the fall.

The Ponca City Public Schools would like to formally thank our partners at P66 for providing the funding to make the Got Books initiative happen this school year. We appreciate P66 for their commitment to promoting literacy in our community!