High School Summer Reading
2004
June 2004
Dear Parents,
As the summer draws near, we are already preparing for the opening of
schools in September. While the summer is a time for reflection and
intellectual renewal for our students, a time for recreation and relaxation,
we are hopeful that it is also a time of preparation for the academic year
ahead. Specifically, we are hoping that the summer offers
opportunities for reading. We believe, as Richard Steele expressed
centuries ago, “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”
And we want to keep the mind in shape!
New York State has
implemented more rigorous English Language Arts Standards over the last few
years. At the heart of these Standards are skills involving extensive
reading, analysis and critical thinking, and these skills are assessed by
the Comprehensive Examination in English, a six-hour, multi-task Regents
exam. As you know, our Regents Examination scores rank among
the very best on Long Island and New York State.
In order to maintain this high level of achievement in years to come, we are encouraging all of our students to pursue readings of their choice, whether it be poetry, fiction, non-fiction, drama, or whatever interests them. More specifically, though, we are requiring common readings for all students in all grade levels, as indicated by the enclosed documents. You will note that an assessment will be administered to all students, which will be written in class at the beginning of the second week of school. With your cooperation, and encouragement, we believe that these reading assignments will help our students grow intellectually as they prepare for the new school year.
The several changes made to our traditional summer reading program last year were well received and proved successful. In this regard, we are indebted to the several parents and staff members who served on our summer reading committee again this past school year to review, assess and reaffirm our summer reading requirements. The program offers a choice and a challenge to all students (with more rigorous requirements for our honors-level students) and a uniform assessment instrument (please see the model assessment information enclosed) that fosters individuation in student responses.
Students will be issued required texts before the last day of class this year on a first-come, first-served basis, and they will be expected to return “loaned” texts to their teachers in the fall.
If you have any questions about the reading requirements, please see the “Summer Reading” link on the Commack School District website, or call me in the English Office at 912-2156.
We wish you, and yours, a warm, happy, relaxing and productive summer.
Sincerely
yours,
Hugh Patterson
English Department Chairman