Salem, East Lyme join forces for student summer reading program
The school districts of Salem and East Lyme have combined efforts to create a joint summer reading list for students in first through eighth grades.
Several libraries, including Salem and East Lyme, are participating in the 2016 Governor’s Reading Challenge, with this year’s theme as “On Your Mark, Get Set ... Read!”
High school students in Salem attend East Lyme High School, so a joint program for the younger grades keeps students on the same track. The program was created by teachers and librarians from the three elementary schools in East Lyme, East Lyme Middle School, East Lyme Public Library, Salem School and the Salem Free Public Library.
For kids in first through fourth grades, families can pick from a variety of suggested books in categories such as science fiction, biographies, sports and graphic novels. The list also includes suggestions from the 2016 Caldecott Awards, Newbury Awards and Nutmeg Awards.
Suggested books for middle school students are divided into pairs so kids can read two books on related topics such as baseball, the Revolutionary War, civil rights or World War II.
Registration for the summer reading program for Salem residents starts June 27 at the Salem Free Public Library, when the mascot for the Hartford Yard Goats will visit the library from 2-3 p.m.
The baseball team is holding a Reading Books in Summer program, in which participating children can get up to 2 complimentary tickets to the Summer Reading Recognition Night game either Aug. 16 or 17 at 7:05 p.m. Tickets must be reserved in advance through the library.
The library will also be hosting programs from The Art Truck, magician Ed Popielarczyk, the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center and more. Contact the library at (860) 859-1130 for more information or to register.
The two other libraries in the Lymes are also participating in “On Your Mark, Get Set ... Read!”
The Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library will measure student reading this summer by minutes, rather than the number of books read, said Julie Bartley, children’s librarian. She said it’s a fun program in which children can set their timers and keep track of their minutes.
The library will offer programs at three levels: babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers; children in grades kindergarten through fifth; and young adults in sixth through twelth grade. There will be prizes at different levels, including a raffle ticket for the final prize at the end of the summer.
“I’m excited to see how it goes,” she said. “I think it’s going to be great.”
Details on Old Lyme’s programs are available at the library website.
The Lyme Public Library is offering programs at the library for students to discover Brazil, the location of the summer Olympics.
Children entering kindergarten through fifth-grade can discover Brazil through art projects during activities that will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on July 5 (Carnival — Rio Masks); July 19 (Painted Toucans); Aug. 2 (Keith Haring movement art with Olympic Rings); and Aug. 16 (wiggly paper lizards), according to a flyer.
Students going into third grade through sixth grade can “learn the science behind Olympic Sports” during activities that will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on July 6 (make super divers); July 13 (play with water balloons); July 20 (create mini paddlers); and July 27 (experiment with weights and water).
a.hutchinson@theday.com
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