Rochester schools, partners kick off summer reading program

Students, staff members and representatives of Holy Rosary Credit Union (HRCU) and the Rochester Rotary Club stand with summer reading books outside the Gonic School. The books were donated by HRCU and the Rochester Rotary Club. (Courtesy photo/Rochester

ROCHESTER - Rochester Public Schools, in partnership with Holy Rosary Credit Union and Rochester Rotary Club, have launched the district's Summer Reading Program.

Rochester Public Schools' Summer Reading Program began on June 3 at the Chamberlain Street School, the first of many schools that are participating in this year's program. Each district school hosted a kickoff assembly in early June, during which books donated by HRCU and Rochester Rotary were given out to all students in Grades 1 and 2.

The program is designed to encourage kids to keep their reading skills strong while they are out of school for summer.

This year's theme is Oceans of Possibilities, which features stories about the ocean. Grade-specific brochures with selections of suggested book titles and reading logs were sent to all students in Grades K-5. By filling out the reading logs, students will have the chance to earn prizes in the fall when they return to school.

A Summer Reading Program kickoff event will be held at the Rochester Public Library on Wednesday from 2:30-4:30 p.m. There will be ice cream, an ocean-themed photo booth, a StoryWalk, and a visit with Rochester Police Department Community Engagement Officer Brandon Kimbrough, and the summer shark mascot.

Throughout the summer, there will be ocean-themed events at the Rochester Public Library to accompany the Summer Reading program including:

On June 22 at 6 p.m., Wildlife Encounters Ecology & Wellness Center will host a wildlife encounter where families can meet and learn about some of the animals being rehabilitated at the facility.

Steve Blunt will perform his award-winning music on July 29 at 10:30 a.m.

Children 2 and up will also have the opportunity to make arts crafts such as a paper roll octopus on June 27, a rainbow weaving fish on July 7, and a plate crab on July 19. Arts and crafts events are drop-in and will take place between 10 a.m.-noon.