PHOTO: Assemblyman Goldfeder, seen here with recent Summer Reading Challenge winners at PS 232 in Lindenwood, will visit PS 47 in Broad Channel this week to present certificates to students who completed the 2015 contest. File Photo
Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Howard Beach) has kicked off his string of visits to nearly 40 participating District 23 schools to present certificates of merit to students that completed the 2015 New York State Assembly Summer Reading Challenge.
First on the itinerary is a stop at PS 47 in Broad Channel this week to issue certificates to nearly 100 students.
Goldfeder’s annual Reading Challenge, which was initiated by his predecessor, Audrey Pheffer, 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, students can return pamphlets to their school or mail them in to the Goldfeder’s office. This year, the assemblyman’s staff distributed 20,000 pamphlets to students throughout southern Queens and Rockaway.
Schools were also provided with special commemorative Summer Reading bookmarks for students, as well as posters advertising the challenge.
“Every year, I look forward to personally presenting certificates to the students that complete my reading challenge,” Goldfeder said. “These young readers deserve praise for taking time out of their summer vacations to open a book and keep their reading skills sharp for the current school year. This is a good habit that will serve them throughout their school experience and make them better prepared for college and their professional lives.”
The contest is popular with area school administrators.
“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,” Judy Rhea, parent coordinator at JHS 202 in Ozone Park, said in June.
By Forum Staff
