2 JULY 8, 2021 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
Rajkumar encourages district kids to
complete summer reading challenge
BY JULIA MORO
EDITORIAL@QNS.COM
@QNS
Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar
invites Queens children to
join the Assembly’s annual Summer
Reading Challenge, a partnership
between the Assembly and New York
State Libraries.
The Summer Reading Challenge
aims to counteract the “summer slide,”
a phenomenon where kids’ reading
profi ciency regresses over the summer
months. Aft er over a year of students
isolating at home and distance learning,
Rajkumar said this program is more
important than ever.
“Reading is fundamental to our young
people’s education and success in life,”
Rajkumar said. “It opens the door to opportunities
and transports us to myriad
worlds of experiences. Summer break
is the time to make sure children read
all year long — and all life long.”
Children must read a book for a
minimum of 15 minutes a day for at
least 40 days during July and August
to complete the challenge. Participants
will receive a calendar from Rajkumar
and mark off days where they read.
Upon completing the challenge,
kids can send the calendar back to
Rajkumar’s offi ce. Then, she will award
each child the Assembly Excellence in
Reading certifi cate.
Maribell Perev-McDaniel, co-president
of District 27 President’s Council,
has two daughters participating in
this year’s reading challenge. Her two
daughters, one in fourth grade and
the other a senior in high school, will
be encouraged to fi nd books that pique
their interest.
“Reading is always great, and especially
now with everything that’s happened
over the last year and a half there have
been a lot of challenges emotionally
and academically,” Perev-McDaniels
said. “I thought it would be a great time
to remember, while we want to have fun
playing outside this summer, reading is
fun and two, it’s important to keep our
brains going.”
Perev-McDaniels will also be participating
in the reading challenge.
“As a parent, we have to lead by
example,” she said. “The challenge is
geared towards children, but I feel like
if my kids see me participating as well, it
will encourage them to do the same and
it won’t feel as much of a chore.”
For more information about the Summer
Reading Challenge, individuals can
contact Rajumar’s offi ce at rajkumarj@
nyassembly.gov or 718-805-0950.
Glendale Maspeth
United Methodist Church
(66th Place and Central Avenue)
Community Book Give-Away
Sat July 10 (10am to 2pm)
Even in today’s high-tech world,
traditional hard copy books still have
the amazing ability to offer inspiration,
insight and education.
And sometimes, there’s just nothing
better than holding a book in your
hand!
So, come by and pick up a free book!
Place: Glendale Maspeth UMC, 66th Place
and Central Avenue
Time: Saturday July 10 (10 am to 2pm)
Children’s books, Fiction, Non-Fiction –
free of charge!
For information, please call: (718) 821-7882
/nyassembly.gov
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