October 23, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KCK Students to be Rewarded for Summer Reading Efforts

Let the Reading Celebrations Begin!

Results from the 2007 Summer Reading Achievers program are in, giving students and staff in the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) a reason to celebrate.

A total of 2,426 students in preK through grade 12 participated in the reading program, which is held annually to enhance reading comprehension, and to mitigate the loss of reading skills that research shows takes place during the summer months. Students read books and keep track of their progress on reading logs, aspiring to reach different levels for prizes.

"I am so proud of our students' efforts, and I know every staff member in our district shares my sentiments," said Dr. Jill Shackelford, superintendent of schools. "These students demonstrated their commitment to learning, and they serve as great role models for all of our students."

A number of celebrations are being planned to reward the summer readers for their efforts, and to encourage them to keep reading. Individual assemblies and recognition programs will be held at each school, where students will be given books and other prizes. The top reader at each school site will receive complimentary movie tickets and popcorn from The Legends.

The top student readers at the elementary, middle and high school levels will join Superintendent Dr. Jill Shackelford for a special Night at the Movies on Nov. 16. They are: Anushka Gawand, 4th grader at T. A. Edison Elementary School; Matthew Morris, 8th grader at Eisenhower Middle School; and Keyana Branch, 9th grader at Sumner Academy of Arts and Science. The students will be escorted to the movies in a limousine.

A total of 866 summer readers from throughout the district have been invited to "Lunch with the Superintendent" as part of their recognition. The luncheon is for elementary students who read 1,500 pages or more, and secondary students who read 3,000 pages or more. The next luncheon will be held Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 11:30 a.m. at the KCKPS Education Center. Hosted by Superintendent Dr. Jill Shackelford, the luncheon will include summer readers from the Wyandotte High School cluster of schools. Students will dine with the top administrator, receive a $20 gift certificate from an area merchant, and hear words of praise from district administration. Five other "Lunch with the Superintendent" events are planned in the coming weeks. They include:

• Tuesday, Oct. 23, for students from the Wyandotte High School cluster
• Thursday, Oct. 25, for students from the Harmon cluster
• Tuesday, Oct. 30, for students from the Washington High School cluster
• Thursday, Nov. 1, for students from the Schlagle cluster
• Tuesday, Nov. 27, for students from the Harmon cluster