GaDOE and partners will
host events throughout Georgia, donate 100,000+ books to students
MEDIA
CONTACT: Matt Cardoza, GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 651-7358, mcardoza@gadoe.org
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May 19, 2016 – When students don’t read during the
summer months, they lose educational ground: research shows that students can
lose up to three months of reading ability over the summer. This phenomenon –
known as summer loss – can lower achievement potential and widen the
achievement gap.
Fortunately,
this summer reading loss is preventable. Research shows that children who read
during the summer don’t suffer the same losses, and may even show some growth
in their reading ability.
To ensure
students and families have the support they need to make literacy a priority
this summer, the Georgia Department of Education is working to get books in the
hands of as many students as possible, through summer reading events,
resources, and the donation of more than 100,000 books.
“Literacy is a
top priority for my administration and a core focus in our agency’s strategic
plan,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “Summer reading is
critically important for maintaining and growing reading abilities, so we
strongly urge every Georgia student to read this summer. However, we didn’t
want to make that recommendation without providing the resources to make it a
reality – and I’m grateful that, with the help of many generous partners, we’ll
be able to get books into the hands of Georgia’s kids this summer. I also
encourage students and parents to go to their local library and take advantage
of the resources they have available and read all throughout the summer.”
Statewide summer reading resources
Students can
visit summerreading.gadoe.org to
log the books they read this summer. We’ll keep track of books read and
recognize winning students, schools, and districts.
Georgia’s
public libraries also have summer reading programs and activities throughout the
summer, and we encourage students to utilize this resource and sign up for a
library card. Click here
to find your local library.
For those who
have access to a digital device, students also have access to more than 10,000
free e-books all summer, thanks to a partnership between myON and Get Georgia Reading. Visit getgeorgiareading.org/myon2016
for directions on how to access these books.
Book donations
Thanks to a
partnership with Change 4 Georgia, Better World Books, and Scholastic,
the GaDOE is donating 100,000+ books to Georgia students this summer. Of that
total, 25,000 books will go to Georgia’s 21st
Century Community Learning Centers, community centers that operate outside
of school hours, including during the summer. The remainder will be distributed
through the Georgia Food Bank Association and other organizations, as well as
through summer reading events hosted by the GaDOE.
Summer reading events
The GaDOE is
hosting summer reading events for students at several public libraries throughout
the state this summer. Members of the public are encouraged to attend these
events, which will feature summer reading activities and programming along with
an opportunity to receive free books.
Thursday, June
2 in Macon – 10 to 11 a.m.
Washington Memorial
Library
1180 Washington
Avenue
Macon, GA 31201
Wednesday, June
15 in Dalton – noon to 1 p.m.
Dalton-Whitfield
County Library
310 Cappes
Street
Dalton, GA
30720
Friday, June 24
in Fitzgerald – 10 to 11 a.m.
Fitzgerald-Ben
Hill County Library
123 North Main
St.
Fitzgerald, GA
31750
*This event
will also feature information on summer meals through GaDOE and the Georgia
Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL).
Friday, June 24
in Bainbridge – 1 to 2 p.m. (Bookmobile)
Bainbridge
Middle School
1301 East
College Street
Bainbridge, GA
39817
1:00 – 2:00 pm
The GaDOE’s
summer reading events and initiatives are possible thanks to the collaboration
of generous partners throughout the state, including Change 4 Georgia, the Get
Georgia Reading Campaign, the Georgia Public Library Service, and the Georgia
Department of Early Care and Learning. The Superintendent’s Student Advisory
Council, a group of 120 middle and high school students from across the state,
is helping to coordinate this summer’s events – so they are truly by students,
for students.
