March 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians:

As a way to increase the importance of improving adolescent literacy, this year the high school English department is beginning a school-wide reading initiative during the month of April.

All teachers will be responsible for supervising a “reading club” which will meet daily for four weeks. A twenty minute period of sustained silent reading will occur daily. Mr. Foust will be adjusting the day’s schedule to provide this time without eliminating any classes. Each teacher will have approximately fifteen students in his/her club. All teachers and students will be involved in sustained silent reading for ten sessions, followed by a discussion period to cover the first half of the book. The same procedure will be followed (ten silent reading sessions and one discussion period) for the second half of the book.

Students have made first, second, and third book choice selections from a teacher generated list of fiction and non-fiction book titles. The district will purchase these books, trying to accommodate the various interests of the staff and students.

If you are interested in viewing the book selections, you may view the list of choices by visiting the school website at www.homercenter.org and clicking on the Reading Initiative link. You may want to take this opportunity to discuss the list with your child and what choices he/she made. By conducting a Google search online of your child’s selected book title, you can obtain information on the content and better discuss the appropriateness of the selection with your child. If you have any concerns and believe his/her choice is inappropriate, please communicate this in writing to your child’s English teacher so an adjustment can be made.

We believe this will be a valuable reading opportunity with the added bonus of being a bit more relaxed and enjoyable.

Sincerely,

Homer-Center High School English Department