Dear Parents,
I trust you had a very happy holiday season and that you are looking forward to an exciting New Year. It is this time of the year that so many of us traditionally make New Year's resolutions on nearly every aspect of our lives imaginable. I recently read an article that listed some of the most popular resolutions as lose weight, diet, exercise regularly, save money, and quit smoking. As I reflect upon this well-established New Year's tradition, I would like to encourage you to consider adding a "resolution" to set aside some time each day to share reading with your children. I believe few resolutions could be more worthwhile for you and your children.
You might start by setting aside fifteen minutes a day to read to your child. Bedtime is often a perfect time for story reading, but other times can work just as well. Reading aloud to your children models the importance of reading, helps prepare them for learning to read and can be a very special, warm family time. If your child is able to read independently, you can encourage reading by setting aside a regularly scheduled time that the family dedicates to reading. During this time you could take turns reading aloud to each other, or you could each read different books. The important thing is to set an example and let your child know that you think reading is important. A New Year's resolution to share reading with your child could not only help your child develop strong literacy skills, but it can bring a lot of happiness as well. In closing I would like to share the following anonymous poem: Only the dreamer knows what it's like to reach for the
stars. As your new superintendent I have been given the opportunity to be the keeper of our vision and dream for every child. It is my hope as we begin the New Year that we will all become dreamers, "working together, helping children to reach for the stars."
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