Assemblymember Promotes Summer Reading

Assemblymember Jimmy Meng was joined by Principal Anastasia Schneider and Carolyn DeSimone, from P.S. 499; and Lois Lee, director of the Chinese Planning Council Inc. Queens School Age Day Care Center for the Assembly's Summer Reading Challenge.

P.S. 20 is also taking part in the reading challenge this year as they did last year.

Since the program was such a success last year, Meng wants to ensure every student has the opportunity to participate in the program this year.

Meng stated, "Wherever you are this summer, at the beach or park, in the car on the way to see friends, or traveling across the country, it's a perfect time to open a book and read about any subject." He continued, "I encourage parents to read at least 30 books with their children this summer."

The New York state Assembly helps children and parents pick up the reading habit through its annual Summer Reading Challenge program. To earn a New York state Assembly Excellence in Reading Certificate, children must read with a parent for 15 minutes a day, for at least 40 days during July and August.

"It's probably less time than a youngster spends getting dressed in the morning," Meng said. "Kids can learn about dinosaurs, the American Civil War, or read the biography of their favorite baseball player. Reading improves speech, vocabulary, pronunciation and listening. It's a good way to spend time with family and friends."

Libraries can help families participate in the Reading Challenge. The legislature's 2006-2007 budget includes $5.7 million for libraries to keep their resources current. It also provides $14 million for capital projects to help local libraries modernize facilities and invest in new educational technology. "Public libraries connect students to knowledge," Meng said. "Reading matters. Children who read do better in other subjects, and can better analyze, think and cope in our increasingly complex world."

For more information about the Assembly's 2006 Summer Reading Challenge, e-mail mengj@assembly.state.ny.us or call 718939-0195.