Reading Award

Newell School was a Nebraska finalist for the International Reading Association award. The award is given each year to a school with an exemplary reading program.  Mrs. Linda Dahlstrom, President of the Central Nebraska Reading Council presented the award to Mr. Brad Wolfe, Newell Principal, at a recent school assembly.

Upcoming Events

Students will bring home information on the summer reading challenge presented by Newell School and sponsored by the PTA.  Please read the information carefully as it will state how Newell students (grades K-5 during the 07-08 school year) can qualify for free swimming and food at the Lincoln pool in Grand Island on Saturday, July 26 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.  The information also states when the Newell media center will be open during the summer.  Our goal is to provide a reading incentive for students to continue to pick up books and read during the summer break!

Here are dates for the Newell media center to be open during the summer:

Wednesday, June 4 - 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.  Newell's media center will be open for K-5 Newell students to check out a book for the week.  We will have summer reading challenge forms for students to pick up on a weekly basis.  Students who are participating in the summer reading challenge at Newell should hand in one written summary form a week.  Parent and teacher volunteers are needed during the summer check out at Newell. The media center will be open one day a week for the summer.  Please enter through the WEST main doors on Wednesdays.

Other Wednesday dates for the Newell Media Center to be open:  June 11, 18, 25, and July 2, 9, 16, and 23rd from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.   Students need to hand in a weekly written summary report of a book or chapters read at least 6 out of 8 times this summer.  (Information will be sent home with parents this week).  Also on the attachments.

The Goal:  For students to read over the summer on a weekly basis (per minimum minutes by grade level) in order to qualify for free swimming and food at he Lincoln pool in Grand Island on Saturday, July 26th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.! 

READING CHALLENGE

Summer Library Check-out at Newell for Grades K-5 (student grade level as of the 2007-08 school year)
June 4 -  July 23
Wednesdays - 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Media Center will be available through the WEST main doors.

Summer Reading Challenge:

1. Weekly Reading Goals
Minimum 45 minutes per week for Kindergarten students (parents reading / assisting them)
Minimum 60 minutes per week for 1st grade students (parents assisting them)
    - Minimum 75 minutes per week for 2nd grade students
    - Minimum 90 minutes per week for 3rd grade students
    - Minimum 105 minutes per week for 4th grade students
    - Minimum 120 minutes per week for 5th grade students

2.  Students should read close to their grade level (please encourage it parents).
     - Must read books that you haven’t read before.

3. Students must turn in one short written summary of a book or part of a chapter book per week. (Grades 1st-5th)  (Lower grades will read multiple books weekly; pick one to write about)

4. Parents will sign a form weekly (and date it) that states their child read the required minutes for the week.
The form will contain lines for students to write their summary statements
Students must turn in 6 out of 8 forms during the summer to qualify for the free swimming/food at the Lincoln pool in Grand Island from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 26
Written summary forms must be submitted weekly or biweekly  on Wednesdays between 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. at Newell. 
Any late forms turned in that  require three or more weeks of parent signatures will NOT be accepted  (Example - Waiting until the final week and submitting six written summaries with parent signatures or turning in six written summaries the first week of the challenge will not be accepted).

Student reading summary forms will be turned into the Newell Media Center 
Dates the Newell Media center will be open - June 4-July 23 (Wednesdays only) 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Extra student reading forms may be picked up at the Newell Media Center during the summer.

5.  Reading Challenge  Reward:
PTA will  sponsor free swimming/food at the Lincoln pool in Grand Island on Saturday, July 26 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
We encourage parent sponsors to assist us. Only parent(s) can attend with their child.
    - Students will act appropriate at the swimming pool.

Also, turn in your City Library forms throughout the summer as we try to win the City Library’s trophy too!
The City Library’s reading  incentive is separate from Newell’s reading incentive.

ENJOY THE SUMMER BREAK AND KEEP READING!