Our school is excited to take part in a special communitywide shared reading event!

Beginning February 23, every family will receive a copy of the same book and will be invited to read it together at home. The title of the book will be revealed at our kick-off assembly, adding to the excitement for our students. I am personally asking that you make time to participate in this meaningful activity with your child.

Families are also invited to join me on March 3 at 6:00 PM at the Suffern Library, where we will read a chapter together and enjoy trivia and discussion as a school community.

Reading aloud at home helps children become stronger, more confident readers and provides a valuable opportunity for families to connect. Through this program, our goal is to build a true Community of Readers—students, families, teachers, and staff all sharing the same story.

Your child will receive the book during a special schoolwide assembly. Along with it, families will receive a reading schedule. In general, we ask that families read for about 15 minutes each night. At school, students will participate in daily trivia questions and classroom discussions connected to the book, so keeping up with the reading will help ensure everyone can fully participate.

This program brings students of all grade levels together around one book. While this may seem unusual, research shows that reading aloud material above a child’s independent reading level supports comprehension and vocabulary growth. The selected book is accessible and enjoyable for younger students while still engaging for older readers.

I am confident you will enjoy this special reading time with your child. When a whole school reads the same book, it creates shared conversations, excitement, and connection. With your help, we can continue to build a strong Community of Readers.