We are THRILLED to offer multiple options for our JC readers to immerse themselves into some amazing literature over the summer months! Please save this newsletter as reference and a how-to for the summer break 😊

Listed in grade-level order from PreK to Grade 5, here's a quick list of tools and resources for our JC learners- happy reading 📚

As Dr. Jones mentioned it in her final weekly email, a tradition in our district, Library Media Specialists from all of our eleven (11) elementary schools collaborate on a shared list where we curate a dynamic list of literature that includes fiction and non-fictions books, picture and chapter books, and more for grades PreK through 5. Into our list, we also incorporated the latest Battle of Books list as well as some links to reputable organizations for a broader, wider selection of books.

Our district has been lucky to partner with Scholastic in providing summer reading literature to all Title 1 students, from PK to Grade 8!

In partnership, we selected and provided ten (10) books to all Title 1 elementary students and five (5) books to all Title 1 middle school students. The book packs also come with an assortment of goodies, please do help your students unpack the great range of literature that's coming to your home libraries!

Scholastic My Summer Book Bags have been distributed to all JC students by Friday, June 14.

At Greenwich Public Schools, we have very strong ties with our local public libraries. For JC readers, along with the other branches, our "home" library, the Greenwich Library Main Branch, has been an amazing partner in our learning journey. This year, our friends at the library visited every single classroom in May and June to introduce our readers to the Greenwich Public Library 2024 Summer Reading Program! We're grateful 📚

We hope you get the opportunity to sign your child(ren) up for this amazing, all comprehensive program. And perhaps, you might want to take advantage of the adult challenge as well! We included the link below 🔽

All GPS K-5 students in the district now has access to a 40,000+ book/audiobook/read-to-me digital library during the summer, with no limitations on time or number of books to read, through a platform called Epic. Epic is a digital reading platform that safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

Students can use Epic on any computer or tablet by entering their grade-level class code. We have included the instructions below 🔽 for your reader access Epic AND for you to check in on their reading progress throughout the summer!

Here are the JC class codes- the codes are based on the current 23-24 grade levels:

Grade K: mmb1943
Grade 1: vng2797

Grade 2: nxe4761

Grade 3: swy6719

Grade 4: nci0528

Grade 5: dhv5776

This Seamless Summer Learning provides opportunities for students to explore, think and apply what they have learned and continue to learn during the summer. All experiences connect to CT Core Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, Mathematics, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the Media and Digital Literacy Standards (ISTE) & the AASL standards (https://standards.aasl.org/), expectations for ESOL and FLES (Foreign Language in Elementary School). All experiences can support each learner at their level of readiness, need, strength and passion. The purpose is to promote learner choice.

Seamless Summer Learning K-5 Playlist can be accessed using the following link:

Next year, our 5th graders will once again have the opportunity to participate in the district-wide Battle of the Books program (BOB)!

What is Battle of the Books?

GPS elementary Library Media Specialists have chosen ten books for kids to read. In late fall a twenty-question quiz will be given to all 5th graders. The five students with the highest scores in each class will then compete, as a homeroom team, against the other 5th grade homerooms in December. The winning homeroom team will represent JC at the district competition in late January.

Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 21, 2025 (snow-date, Wednesday, January 22, 2025) for the Battle of Books District-Level Competition at our gorgeous Greenwich High School Performance Arts Center (PAC).

Where Do I Get the Books?

Most of the titles are available through the Greenwich Public Library as well as the Cos Cob Library, the Perrot Library, and the Byram Shubert Library. They will also be available in the fall through our school library. Want to purchase them? Check in at your local bookstore or Amazon.

What Can Parents Do?

Research shows students who read books, discuss books, and listen to books experience less "summer slide." Put simply - find time to read.

At JC, we had the opportunity to meet and share the details with each class. We have included a copy of the presentation below 🔽 It is also available in the students’ Grade 4 Library Google Classroom for reference.

Our outgoing Grade 5 students have plenty to choose from any of the above options AND they can participate in CONNECTICUT READS, the 2024 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge. For full details please click on the link below 🔽

Save or Print this list to keep it handy over the summer months! Share with your family, friends and neighbors to spread the love and joy of reading.

We absolutely loved looking back at the 2023-2024 school year, reflecting on our teaching & learning in our space. In the process, we pulled together some stats that support and highlight all the curriculum updates we implemented, the wonderful reading promotions and programs we provided, and curriculum enrichment events we hosted throughout the school year!

From the bottom of our hearts, many thanks to all of you for your support! We wish you a wonderful summer break!

One last resource as we're wrapping up our year- please take a look at some of the data that Scholastic has compiled for school-age children and parents in their biennial national survey of parents’ and children’s reading attitudes and behaviors. All the data points to the benefits of a strong relationship between schools and home, a well-established school library to nourish the reading appetites of students, and encouragement of reading as part of daily habit. For more, please explore below link 🔽

Esra Murray

Greenwich Public Schools, K-5 Library Media Program Learning Facilitator

Julian Curtiss Elementary School, Library Media Specialist

Email: esra_murray@greenwich.k12.ct.us

Website: https://www.greenwichschools.org/julian-curtiss-school/learning-commons
Location: 180 East Elm Street, Greenwich, CT 06830
Phone: (203) 869-1896