School may be out for summer, but Kalama School District is still working to keep young minds engaged, one book at a time.
The annual Strive for Five reading program, spearheaded by Kalama School Board Member Stephanie Harbell, has once again equipped Kalama Elementary students with five free books to take home and enjoy over summer break. The goal? To prevent summer learning loss by encouraging students to continue reading throughout the months away from school.
“Research shows that even reading just a few books over the summer can make a big difference,” said Kalama School District Superintendent Wesley Benjamin. “If we can get students reading, we know it helps preserve the academic progress they made during the school year. Getting books into their hands is a huge part of that.”
Each Kalama Elementary student had the opportunity to select five new or gently-used books before school let out. The book giveaway took place in the school’s second-floor hallway, with hundreds of titles organized by reading level. Students eagerly browsed the tables and picked their favorites, from Dogman to Wings of Fire and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
“The kids were so excited,” said Harbell. “They get to keep the books and choose what they like. We even encourage them to stretch a little and try something above their typical level; it makes it fun and rewarding.”
In addition to providing books, the program offers incentives to students who complete their summer reading. Children who finish all five books and return their completed reading log at the start of the upcoming school year will be entered into a prize drawing. This year’s top prize is a brand-new opportunity: a ride to school in a fire truck, thanks to a new partnership with Cowlitz Fire District 5.
“We’re thrilled to have Cowlitz Fire 5 join us as a partner this year,” said Benjamin. “Every student who completes their books will be entered into the drawing, and one lucky student is going to ride in style. I don’t think it gets any cooler than that.”
The books were made available through donations from local businesses and community members, with funds managed through the Kalama PTO. Volunteers spent hours organizing books, setting up tables, and helping students find just the right titles.
“We’ve got a lot of kids across Kalama who now have books at home because of this program,” added Benjamin. “It’s a team effort, and it’s making a real impact.”
Families are encouraged to support their children in completing their summer reading and returning the log in the fall to be eligible for prizes. Even if a student is being read to by an adult, the benefits still count, and so does their entry in the fire truck drawing.
To learn more about the benefits of reading over the summer, and why programs like Strive for Five make a difference, check out Scholastic’s Summer Reading Report.