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WCS joins Columbus Metropolitan Library to encourage families to take part in its online Summer Reading Challenge
Whitehall City Schools is encouraging families to help their children maintain critical reading skills they gained during the school year by participating in Columbus Metropolitan Library’s (CML) Summer Reading Challenge – online only this year due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Now through August 1st, parents and caregivers can log in with their children at columbuslibrary.org/summerreading or – new this year – with the free READsquared app through the App Store or Google Play.

Participants can track reading on Game Boards and play Reading Activity Bingo to earn virtual badges and certificates plus be entered into raffles for great prizes.

Also new this year, Columbus Metropolitan Library is encouraging Summer Reading Challenge participation through their School Challenge! One Franklin County elementary school, middle school and high school building with students recording the highest total number of reading minutes will each receive free books. Students will be able to track their school’s progress when they’re logged into their Summer Reading Challenge accounts.  

CML’s annual Summer Reading Challenge runs Saturday, May 30 through Saturday, Aug. 1. Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, this year’s program will be online only. There will be no in-person signups or programs.

Studies show that kids who read during the summer maintain reading skills that are critical to future school success. Loss of these skills is often referred to as the summer slide. The Third Grade Reading Guarantee in Ohio means many central Ohio third graders could repeat the grade if they don’t pass state proficiency testing. This makes summer reading even more important.

“Gov. DeWine’s closure of Ohio’s K-12 public schools in March, coupled with the challenges students and educators face with at-home learning, means the summer slide could be steeper this summer than ever before.” said CML CEO Patrick Losinski. “This is why we’re committed to bringing you an engaging Summer Reading Challenge. We hope you’ll join us.”

“We hope our students and families take advantage of Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Summer Reading Challenge,” said [your superintendent]. “As we continue to navigate eLearning due to the pandemic, maintaining literacy skills are perhaps more critical than ever before.”

Visit columbuslibrary.org/summerreading for more information.