Poughkeepsie City School District students will soon pursue a common goal:
One million cumulative minutes read before the end of June.
The Poughkeepsie Reading Challenge, launching in February, is a districtwide initiative encouraging all students, from pre-K to high school seniors, to read daily.
Students will be encouraged to read at least 20 minutes a day. Research shows students who read that much daily are exposed to 1.8 million words per year, dramatically improving their vocabulary, comprehension and overall academic success. In contrast, students who read less than 5 minutes a day are exposed to fewer than 300,000 words per year. Just a small daily commitment can make a big difference in achievement and lifelong learning.
It’s a commitment the district is encouraging and incentivizing all students to make.
From February until the end of the school year, students will track their reading through the myON digital library app, which will be available to all grades through ClassLink by February. Through myON, students have on-demand access to more than 7,000 digital books that can be matched to each individual student’s interests and grade and reading levels. For the youngest learners, the app can read stories out loud with each word highlighted as it’s read for students to follow along.
“This is a great opportunity to expose our students to a love of reading,” Superintendent of Schools Gregory Mott said.
To assist in this initiative, a portion of class time will be dedicated to giving students an opportunity to read using the program. And, in the weeks before the Poughkeepsie Reading Challenge begins, teachers and students will receive training on how to best use myOn.
Each student’s reading time will be tracked and top readers will be recognized on a monthly basis and as they hit significant minute milestones, as well as at the end of the year. Not only will the readers with the most minutes be celebrated, but also those who are showing the most improvement or consistent participation. Cumulative totals for each grade in each school building, as well as the school buildings as a whole, will also be tracked and recognized with monthly and year-end prizes and awards. And, because time is what will be measured, our youngest learners can compete on an equal playing field as our oldest and readers of all levels can be celebrated.
To further promote a culture of literacy, each Wednesday will be designated “Poughkeepsie Reads Wednesday.” On these days, community members, district leaders and Board of Education members will visit schools to read with students and model the importance and joy of reading.
In addition to building literacy skills, the Poughkeepsie Reading Challenge will encourage students to read consistently with quantifiable data that will allow not only teachers but the students themselves to see their level of participation and growth as a reader. It will also encourage positive, friendly competition among students, grades and buildings.
The whole initiative will then culminate in June with a blowout party at which our highest achievers will be honored and receive prizes, and students will be able to enjoy their accomplishment.
“Every page counts,” Mott said. “Collectively, we can do this.”