FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 17, 2016
CONTACT: Mary Stadick Smith, South Dakota Department of Education, (605) 773-7228, mary.stadicksmith@state.sd.us
or
Ruth Raveling, South Dakota Department of Education, (605) 773-2593, ruth.raveling@state.sd.us
 

Prevent ‘summer slide’ while students are out of school
 

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Education encourages families to read throughout the summer. Doing so helps prevent “summer slide,” which is the loss of reading skills that can occur during the summer months when students are out of school.

“There are lots of fun ways to get kids reading over the summer,” says Jasmine Rockwell, Children’s & Youth Services coordinator for the South Dakota State Library. “Kids can participate in a local library’s summer reading program. If your family goes on a trip, encourage your child to research an attraction you’ll visit. Help your student athlete find a biography of her sports hero. Encourage your student to read news stories and then discuss current events together as a family.”

Families can visit readsd.com to access a free “Find a Book” tool available from the South Dakota Department of Education. With this tool, students can create a customized reading list tailored to their reading level and specific interests. Reading material should be challenging enough to keep students engaged, but not so difficult that they become frustrated.

“Like” Read! SD on Facebook at facebook.com/readsouthdakota to get weekly reading recommendations. Every Monday, starting May 30, recommended reading selections from the Prairie Bud and Prairie Pasque Children’s Book Award programs and the YARP (Young Adult Reading Program) List will be featured on the Read! SD Facebook page. Learn more about these award-winning books on the South Dakota State Library website: library.sd.gov.

–30–