Markley, Sampson Recognize Wolcott Schools for Summer Reading

June 4, 2014

Wolcott – State Senator Joe Markley (R-16) and State Representative Rob Sampson (R-80) presented citations to three Wolcott schools recognizing their reading achievements. Alcott Elementary School, Frisbie Elementary School and Tyrrel Middle School were all winners of the 2013 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge.

The Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge is a statewide program in which schools compete to read the most books over summer vacation. The program recognizes the schools with the highest participation rates and the highest number of books read per student.

“The students’ participation and dedication to the summer reading program is truly outstanding,” said Sen. Markley. “It can be very easy to forget about your school obligations during summer vacation. But almost every single student in these three schools found time to read. I applaud them for their commitment and hope that this summer will also be a time of continued learning.”

“Making the commitment to take time out of summer vacation to dedicate to reading shows great maturity, discipline, and interest in learning,” said Rep. Sampson. “That so many students from our schools have earned this recognition is a testament not only to them, but to their teachers, administrators and parents. I enthusiastically join in congratulating them on their outstanding work.”

Alcott Elementary School had a participation rate of 100 percent. On average, each student read 39 books, for a total of 9,256 books.

Frisbie Elementary School also had a participation rate of 100 percent, with each student reading an average of 44 books. In total, Frisbie students read 15,093 books last summer, the highest number of books read in any school in the state.

Finally, Tyrrel Middle School had a 99 percent participation rate. On average, each middle school student read 5 books in the summer, for a total of 3,336 books school wide.

The Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge is coordinated by the Connecticut State Department of Education in conjunction with the Connecticut State Library. Schools compete based on student population and grade level. Since the program began in 1996, students across the state have read millions of books.