School-Wide Home Reading Program FAQs

School-Wide Home Reading Program: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does my parent/guardian need to initial and date each box on my reading sheet?

Answer: Participating in your child’s education is one of the most valuable things that a parent/guardian can do. By initialing each time your child reads for 15 minutes or more, you are reinforcing that reading is important and you are sharing in the success of your child becoming a stronger reader. This is also an excellent time to ask your child what he/she has been reading and to engage in meaningful conversation about books. The date is necessary to ensure that students do not fill out more than one box at a time and do not mistakenly hand in reading sheets earlier than the prescribed amount of time. Please see date ranges below:

1. 25 nights (start: Oct. 1, 2012/end: Oct. 25, 2012 evening)
2. 50 nights (start: Oct. 26, 2012/end: Nov. 19, 2012 evening)
3. 75 nights (start: Nov. 20, 2012/end: Dec. 14, 2012 evening)
4. 100 nights (start: Dec. 15, 2012/end: Jan. 8, 2013 evening)
5. 150 nights (start: Jan. 9, 2013/end: Feb. 27, 2013 evening)
6. 200 nights (start: Feb. 28, 2013/end: Apr. 18, 2013 evening)

Please note: these are guidelines only, and represent the earliest dates to start and end IF your child reads every single night, and records only once. 

2. Where can I get the reading sheets?

Answer: Reading sheets are available in the Library. Please note that there is a different reading sheet for each of the 6 levels (25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200); each sheet is also a different colour. Please ensure that your child is filling out the correct reading sheet to prevent confusion and to help Ms. Lehnert keep track of all participating students and their levels of success. When a student turns in a reading sheet, Ms. Lehnert directs the student to pick up the next sheet, and ensures that the student takes the right one.

3. When does “Paws for Reading” end?

Answer: This year, “Paws for Reading” ends on Friday, May 31, 2012. All completed reading sheets must be handed in to Ms. Lehnert by this date, in order to receive the applicable reward. Reading sheets will not be accepted after this date because the Library starts shutting down for annual inventory. Please note that there are more than 200 nights during the start and end date time period, so if your child misses a few nights of reading, he/she can still make up the missed evenings in time to finish the program.

4. Why can’t my child keep the 200 Nights dedicated book?

Answer: Our generous PAC supports this school-wide reading program by providing funding for the “Paw charms” and metal chains. Typically, we have more than 200 students participating at various levels, and approximately 100 students complete the 200 Nights and are eligible for the book dedication. As you can see by the sheer numbers of students involved, it is very difficult to find funding to provide each student with a book to keep. The dedication books are provided out of the regular yearly Library budget, so these books must come back to the Library for all staff and students to enjoy. If you have any ideas or connections to book publishers that can donate multiple copies of new, recently published, suitable books, please let Ms. Lehnert know.