Dear Verne Critz Families,                                                        January 3, 2008

As part of our school’s Shared Decision Making Team’s efforts to improve student performance, we are beginning a PARP Program (“Parents as Reading Partners”)  The theme “blizzard” was selected to coordinate with the theme of this year’s book fair.  Please set aside between 10 and 20 minutes per day, for reading and make it a priority.  Any reading material is acceptable- books, newspapers, magazines, etc.  The idea is for all of the people in the family to promote reading.  If you would prefer, students may read to someone or even be read to be a family member.

After you child has read, he/she should color a box representing the time that they spent reading.  (i.e. If he /she reads for 20 minutes two boxes should be colored).  Under that group of boxes an adult should put their initials verifying that the reading was done.

Please encourage your child to read a variety of material!  They are welcome to read magazines, newspapers, comics, directions for games & recipes!

The program will begin on January 7^th.  Each classroom teacher will provide a reading log for the students to keep track of their reading.  This reading will be part of our daily homework.  (A sample of reading log attached)

The children will receive a prize for each log that is completed.  There will be additional prizes for the top readers as well as a prize for the classes that read the most at each grade level.

Our program will run from January 7^th until February 15^th.   Our goal is to foster better reading habits and encourage more students to read!  We hope you enjoy reading along with your children.

                                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                                    The Verne Critz

                                                                                    Shared Decision Making Team