Photo: Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder has called on area students to accept his 2015 Assembly Summer Reading Challenge. Photo Courtesy of Assemblyman Goldfeder’s Office
Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Howard Beach) this week called on area schoolchildren to take on his 2015 Assembly Summer Reading Challenge.
The event encourages students to read at least 15 minutes each day on at least 40 days during the months of July and August. Children are given special pamphlets with a calendar to mark their progress. Once finished, they can return pamphlets to their school or mail them in to Goldfeder’s office. This year, he delivered a record 20,000 pamphlets to over 40 schools throughout southern Queens and Rockaway. Schools were also provided with special commemorative Summer Reading bookmarks for students, as well as posters advertising the challenge.
“As a father of two young children, I know firsthand how reading can shape young minds and improve learning,” Goldfeder said. “I’m excited to bring my Summer Reading Challenge to schools and encourage our children’s passion for books. This will help make reading a priority for students over summer break and better prepare them for the following school year.”
Students that complete the challenge receive a signed Certificate of Merit from Goldfeder in the fall. Goldfeder visits each participating school and presents students with their certificates. As a result, schools have begun to hold large ceremonies for students and their parents, with many seeing hundreds of students honored by an elected official.
“The Summer Reading Challenge helps our students maintain an active and engaged mind during the summer months. Plus, it makes them feel special to be recognized by Assemblyman Goldfeder when he comes to present the certificates in the fall. We have a little ceremony and invite the parents. It’s a really great experience for everyone,” said Judy Rhea, parent coordinator at JHS 202 in Ozone Park.
By Forum Staff
