Clilntonville schools challenge parents
By Bert Lehman
The Clintonville School District is in the midst of a campaign challenging parents to read aloud to their elementary and middle school children for 10 minutes each day in February.
Tim Sweet, school librarian, said he came up with the idea after reading an article in School Librarian Journal. He said the article stated 34 percent of parents never read a bedtime story to their children.
“It seems like reading to our kids is sort of getting pushed off onto the backburner,” Sweet said.
A letter was sent home with students on Jan. 21 explaining the challenge to parents. A list of suggested books to read aloud for different age levels was also included with the letter.
The letter included the criteria to participate in the February K-8 Read Aloud Challenge:
• Read aloud every night to your child for at least 10 minutes.
• Keep track by signing your initials each night on the accompanying calendar.
• Turn in the calendar to your school library if you would like to join the Read Aloud Celebration.
• Signed calendars are due by March 3 to be included in the celebration party.
• The celebration will be at the Clintonville Middle School IMC on March 8 at 6:30 p.m.
• Free pizza and bottled water will be provided at the celebration.
• Those attending should be prepared to tell about a favorite read aloud book they shared together.
“It’s a simple thing to do but it’s one of the best things a parent can do as far as encouraging their child to become a better reader and ultimately do better in school and beyond,” Sweet said.
He added, “My goal is to just make parents aware that reading aloud to their kids is a good thing.”