June 1, 2020

Dear ASRSD Families, 

While this year has certainly been unlike one in recent memory, and we are still awaiting guidance from the Commissioner of Education regarding the re-entry to school in the fall, there are two things that we know for sure - summer is coming, and we are excited to offer our summer reading program to our kiddos. This year’s theme is “Imagine Your Story.”   

Most parents, myself included, are always looking for ideas to entertain and inspire their kids during the summer months. One of these ways is through reading. A good book provides that opportunity - traveling to far-off places, meeting new people, solving problems, or just helping us to relax, or to escape from reality for a moment. But who would have thought that all these fun things about reading would have an added educational benefit, too? Well, they do. “Summer Slide,” the notion that students actually lose the gains they made in learning as a result of long gaps in their education such as summer break, is a real thing. The good news is that it can be overcome. Summer reading, for as little as 15 minutes per day, can reduce the slide. In fact, students have been shown to make educational gains just by reading over the summer.  

In meeting and planning our summer reading for the district, we figured that if we partnered with our public libraries in both Ayer and Shirley, and provided engaging choices for students to read (or be read to), then students would develop a love of reading, causing them to read more, thereby reducing the summer slide. The missing ingredient in this mix is engaging all of you. To that end, in addition to grade specific brochures, we have provided resources on our website for “Summer Reading” to make the materials as accessible as possible to all of our students and families. In the event that you are not able to access any of these books, or require financial assistance to do so, please contact ccaliri@asrsd.org at your earliest convenience.   

At the start of the 2020-2021 school year, each school and each classroom will help our students connect their passion for reading they developed over the summer to the goals of the classroom. 

Happy Reading!  

Sincerely, 

Charlie Caliri

Lura A White and Page Hilltop (K-5)

Zoom to the library and get your FREE library card.It’s your passport to imagine your story!

Discover some great new books by award-winning authors with this brochure.

Don’t see what you like, or want even more suggestions? Our town librarians are book experts. They have thousands of amazing books to share with you! Whatever you’re interested in, there’s a book for you.

What are you waiting for? Your next adventure is just a book away!

Where can I get these titles online? 
E-Book Access for Summer Reading (K-2)
E-Book Access for Summer Reading (3-5)

Middle School (6-8)

Our goal is to have students read at least one book over the summer - more if they so choose!  This year, we are introducing a new incentive called “Book Bucks”. For every book read during the summer, students will receive one “Buck”. In the fall, students should hand in the completed book log - with signatures - and receive “Book Bucks”. These can be used during the year for a number of things. You could buy entrance into school dances/events, buy snacks, buy your way out of lunch detention (at discretion of Mr. O), buy first place in the lunch line,  buy a book at the next Book Fair, or buy a homework pass (at discretion of teacher), to name a few!

We have provided a “menu” to help you make choices, however, you are not limited to this list. We encourage you to read whatever interests you! If you are having trouble getting books, scholarship funds and book borrowing from the school is available - please contact Mrs. Kathryn Lyon, our school librarian, at klyon@asrsd.org. We hope you spend some time reading to earn your “Book Bucks”! Have an awesome summer!

Where can I get these titles online? E-Book Access for Summer Reading (6-8)

High School (9-12)

All ASRHS students are expected to read over the summer. The following is a list of the required reading for various English and Humanities classes, as well as requirements for specific courses. Have a great summer and happy reading!

Where can I get these titles online? E-Book Access for Summer Reading (9-12)