Federal Way Public Schools reminds students to take the 30 minutes a day reading challenge and avoid the “summer slide” – the loss of academic progress caused by not reading or engaging in new learning during the summer.

Parents of younger students are asked to read to their children, and practice letter sounds and new words. Older students are encouraged to have fun by finding a topic they like and read at least 30 minutes each day.

The research is clear that summers can be a time when students lose ground on academic progress, according to a media release from FWPS. However, students who read regularly during the summer are more likely to avoid losing skills, and be successful in the classroom when they return in the fall. Students who read one hour a day can make almost two years of growth in their reading performance over the summer months.

“We know when our scholars are confident and skilled readers, their overall learning improves and nothing inspires reading more than regular practice,” FWPS Superintendent Tammy Campbell said.

FWPS students can visit their local King County Library either in person or online. Students get library cards for free and have access to the online system, including eBooks, through their FWPS student log-in.

For more ideas about how parents can help children avoid the “summer slide,” check out the Learning Partnership Guides on the FWPS website at www.fwps.org/learningpartnership.