Dear Bellmawr Families and Students Entering Grades 5-8:

Our district is continuing our voluntary Summer Reading Program to encourage students to read throughout the summer months.  Research has shown that students lose up to one month of learning over the summer vacation.  Our primary goal is to foster a love of literacy among all of our students.

Attached to this letter, you will find the Summer Reading requirements and a “Recommended Reading List” for students entering each grade level. We are asking that students read at least two books to earn recognition.  All Reading Counts points will count towards the first marking period.  Because parents requested students be able to choose their own books, we have decided to allow students to read any book on the Reading Counts Quiz list at the reading levels below:

Entering Grade 5- 4.0 Reading Level (RL) or above on the Reading Counts List*

Entering Grade 6- 4.5 Reading Level (RL) or above on the Reading Counts List*

Entering Grade 7—5.0 Reading Level (RL) or above on the Reading Counts List*

Entering Grade 8—5.0 Reading Level (RL) or above on the Reading Counts List*

*The Scholastic Reading Counts Quiz List is available online at

www.Bellmawrschools.org.  It is no longer available in print form as the database has expanded from 4,000 to 45,000 quizzes.  In addition to the Bell Oaks Website, the Scholastic Reading Counts Quiz List is accessible from the Bellmawr Branch of the Camden County Library. All books on recommended lists have quizzes.

We are working closely with the Bellmawr Branch of the Camden County Library. They will attempt to supply as many of the summer reading books as possible. We encourage you to join in all of the many summer reading activities at the Bellmawr Library-please see their events and activities list attached at the end of this handout.  Your summer reading books may be borrowed from the Bellmawr Library or purchased from any bookseller.

Although summer reading is voluntary, students are encouraged to participate. In

order to attend the Summer Reading Rewards Breakfast, students will be

 required to:

·         Read two books from their grade level Recommended Reading List or the Scholastic Reading Counts Quiz list (at the appropriate Reading Level).

·         Pass both Reading Counts quizzes on the first day of school on the books read

·         Complete a book summary mini poster on one of the books read. 

·         The Reading Counts points will be included in the first marking period grade.

·         Reading Counts tests must be taken and the mini posters must be submitted on the first day of school.

·         Blank copies of the mini posters have been included in the Summer Reading Program packet and extra copies of the mini-poster template will be available at the Bellmawr Library, the Bell Oaks School office, and online at http://www.bellmawrschools.org.

The Library Media Center is open for Reading Counts computer quizzes

on July 21st and August 11th from 9am-12pm

If you have any questions regarding this program, contact the Bell Oaks School at 931-6273 or email Mrs. Burns at: jburns@bellmawrschools.org

Remember-Reading is a “Shore” thing!