FOCUS ON READING
The practice of reading for enjoyment and reading for knowledge is crucial to lifetime learning and success.  We, as parents and educators must demonstrate the value of reading by making reading a part of our daily lives.  We must show children that we read for enjoyment, to learn more about the world and to advance our own situations at work and home.  We can show children the importance of reading by setting aside regular times to read.  We should turn off the television and insist that some evenings remain "activity free" so that families can enjoy story time together.  Research is very clear about the relationship between school grades and television viewing.  Good patterns that are established early in elementary school are habit by junior high school.

At Symmes Elementary, all students  will be required to read at least 15 minutes per night as part of their weekly homework.  this is intended to provide practice time for reading as well as to motivate habitual reading among our students.  This can be in the form of independent reading, family reading or review of reading sight words.  Your child's teacher can provide specific information about appropriate reading books and levels for your child.  Thanks for your diligence in overseeing this ongoing assignment that will greatly benefit your child.