May 9, 2014

GOV. MALLOY KICKS OFF ANNUAL SUMMER READING PROGRAM

State Honors Reading Achievements of Top-Performing Schools and Students

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy honored students and school representatives from throughout the state for their reading achievements today at the kickoff of the annual Governor's Summer Reading Challenge.

During a ceremony at the State Library, Governor Malloy, Commissioner of Education Stefan Pryor, and State Librarian Kendall Wiggin stressed the importance of reading during the summer and recognized top-performing schools from the 2013 Summer Reading Challenge.

"We know that children who read at grade level by the time they reach third grade are much more likely to succeed academically," Governor Malloy said. "Reading is the most important skill for students to learn and one that requires constant practice. Students who maintain their reading habits over the summer are doing well to ensure their success."

"I am proud to recognize all the teachers, principals, and parents who help foster a love of reading in children," Commissioner Pryor said. "Creating a lifelong habit of reading opens the gateway to learning. It is vital that we support and enhance efforts to help every student become a proficient and confident reader."

"The State Library is proud to be a partner with the Department of Education in promoting the Governor's Summer Reading Challenge," State Librarian Wiggin said. "Public libraries throughout our state are ready to welcome students offering them endless opportunities to have a great summer with a great book."

The Governor's Summer Reading Challenge is a statewide program coordinated by the Connecticut State Department of Education in conjunction with the Connecticut State Library. Schools compete based on student population and grade level. The program recognizes the schools with the highest participation rates and the highest number of books read per student.

The summer reading program also supports community initiatives run by local public libraries and recognizes "Outstanding Public Library-School Partnerships." Students have read millions of books since the program began in 1996.

The following table contains the list of winning schools. More information is available at http://www.ct.gov/sde/ctread .

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For Immediate Release: May 9, 2014

Contact: Samaia M. Hernandez
Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy
Samaia.Hernandez@ct.gov
860-524-7314 (office)
860-770-8298 (cell)

Contact: Kelly Donnelly
State Department of Education
Kelly.Donnelly@ct.gov
860-713-6525 (office)
860-983-1550 (cell)

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy