June 2010
To the Parents of Red Jacket Students Entering Grades 6-12:
In order to better prepare our students for NYS assessments in English Language Arts and to reinforce reading and critical analysis skills necessary to succeed in any academic program, the Red Jacket English Department has maintained a Summer Reading Program for students in grades 6-12 since 2001.
The details of the program are as follows:
Students entering a standard or Regents level section of English will be assigned one book to read during summer vacation. All students in the class will be reading the same title. A copy of this book will be provided to each student before he or she leaves for the summer. Additionally, the student will be provided with support material to aid in the understanding of the text and to prepare the student to better participate in discussion of the text when he or she returns to school. The text for summer reading will be the focus of the first academic unit in all Red Jacket English classrooms in September. Summer reading will no longer be treated in isolation; it will be assessed in multiple ways in each English classroom in the first weeks of school.
The English Department believes that there are few things more essential to a student’s academic success than his or her ability to read and analyze text. We also believe the love and habit of reading will enrich the lives of our students. So, while we are only assigning one book to students entering standard or Regents level classes, we ask that you encourage your children to “choose to read” a variety of books this summer.
Students entering High School Honors classes will receive separate assignments geared to upper level students. These may involve more than one book and may require more substantial independent writing assignments. Students in these classes will also receive the books before they leave for the summer, along with appropriate assignments and guidelines.
If you have a student who is attending summer school, please check with the appropriate guidance office for which grade level your child will be moving into so that the reading for that grade can be done. Teachers in September will expect all students to have done the reading.
We look forward to your cooperation in our efforts to provide Red Jacket students with opportunities to reinforce their skills and enrich their education. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Stacy Liberati, ELA Chairperson, at liberatis@redjacket.org, or by calling the HS Office at 289-3966. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
The Red Jacket English Department
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