• July 22, 2019

The Benefits of Summer Reading

The Benefits of Summer Reading

150 150 Elect Todd Hunter

The Benefits of Summer Reading

The summer months are sometimes some of the most anticipated months of the year. Our summer months are a great time to get outside. It is also a great time for students to take time off from school and relax. However, research has shown that indulging in too much relaxation can result in reading loss in students. Fortunately, many public libraries host summer reading programs to encourage students to keep reading during the summer to prevent “the summer slide” or the tendency for students to lose some of the achievement gains they made during the previous school year. Reading just 4 to 6 books over the summer has the potential to prevent a decline in reading achievement scores from the Spring to the Fall. This shows that even small steps are very beneficial. This week I’d like to highlight some of the excellent summer reading programs in our Coastal Bend area.

The Corpus Christi Public Libraries’ Summer Reading Program is a terrific way to keep kids reading as they enjoy a variety of fun and educational activities. This summer reading program has been an annual tradition for over 50 years. Participants must be 17 years of age or younger and are invited to participate in a variety of activities such as family story time, science experiments, summer movies and more! Participants are also encouraged to pick up a Summer Reading Booklet at any Corpus Christi public library. These booklets are used to keep track of points that are received by attending events and checking out books. Then, at the end of the summer, these points can be redeemed for prizes. You can find a full calendar of activities by visiting Discover Corpus Christi Public Libraries.

Port Aransas also has a great summer reading program for children ages 4 to 9. The 2019 Summer Reading program is being offered by the William R. “Bill” Ellis Memorial Library and will be held at the community center due to the ongoing repairs from Hurricane Harvey damage. The summer reading program began last month and will continue throughout July on Wednesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. The theme of this summer’s program is “A Universe of Stories.” Activities will include story time, crafts, games and other activities. For more information, contact Toby De La Rosa, assistant library director, at 361-749-4116.

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32

Rep. Hunter represents Nueces (Part) County. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.