UNAKA – Summer has officially hit for Cherokee County students, but that doesn’t mean learning is done until August.
Local businesses and libraries are all working to motivate students to spend part of their summer reading to continue growing and learning year-round.
Students who spend at least 20 minutes reading a day avoid the “summer slide,” a nickname for academic learning loss that can put them behind as they enter their next grade level.
Students can use the summer to continue building their vocabulary, as reading for 20 minutes per day exposes them to over 1 million words per year.
During the summer, students can choose what they read, which can help to foster a lifelong love of learning because reading becomes a habit and hobby rather than a chore.
Students who read during the summer enter their new classrooms with a stronger ability to focus and increased confidence in their abilities that can help them to perform better throughout the school year.
The bottom line is that summer reading is important, and Cherokee County is full of rewards for students who commit to summer reading.
Narrative Bookstore and Crafted Dough are teaming up to bring local students an all-new reading challenge. Students can get a stamp sheet for June and July. Each day that students read for 20 minutes, they get a stamp. After seven stamps, students can take their sheet into either Narrative Bookstore for a dirty soda or to Crafted Dough for a donut. Readers can earn a maximum of four dirty sodas and three donuts during the program that runs from June 1 until July 31. This program is for kids ages 13 and under. All stamps must be redeemed by July 31, and only one treat can be redeemed at a time.
Pizza Hut is hosting its BOOK IT! Program and the Murphy location is participating. Parents can download the BOOK IT! App from the Apple or Google Play Store and create profiles for up to 5 children ages 4-12 (Pre-K through 6th grade). When creating profiles, parents set a reading goal based on the time to spend on daily reading. Each month, students who read 15 days total earn a coupon for a free one-topping personal pan pizza. The program runs from June 1 to Aug. 31 allowing students to earn three free personal pan pizzas that can be redeemed in the Pizza Hut app.
The Murphy Public Library and Andrews Public Library are both hosting a wide variety of events and opportunities for students during the summer that encourage reading and learning. Each week there will be storytimes for ages 0-6, the Murphy Public Library will host these Mondays at 10:30 a.m. and the Andrews Public Library will host these Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. For ages 7-12 they will be hosting weekly events featuring reading, crafts, and games, the Murphy Public Library will host these Mondays at 11 a.m. and the Andrews Public Library will host these Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Each month both libraries will have themed scavenger hunts available for kids to earn a prize after completion. From July 6 to July 22, they will each be hosting their annual summer coloring contest with different coloring pages for each age group. During the week of June 8, activity booklets for ages 0-10 and 11-18 will be available for pick up at each library. Each time a child visits the library during the summer or attends or completes a library event, they will earn stamps. Booklets will be turned in on July 24 and prizes will be given out based on the amount completed and stamps earned.
The Murphy Public Library will be hosting dinosaur-themed animal shows on Monday, July 20 at 11 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:45 p.m. The shows will be hosted at Andrews Public Library on Wednesday, July 22 at 11 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:45 p.m. These shows require registration to attend, and this will open on July 6.
Cherokee County students work hard throughout the school year to learn and grow, and while summer is meant to be a time to relax, it’s important to continue to learn and challenge their brains in preparation for the school year. All of these local opportunities are working to encourage reading and learning while rewarding students for all of their hard work with prizes, treats, and fun experiences.
Details: Narrative Bookstore 828-644-4323 located at 104 Tennessee St. Suite A, Murphy; Crafted Dough 828-557-8433 located at 104 Tennessee St. Suite B, Murphy; Pizza Hut 828-837-7314 located at 680 U.S. 64, Murphy; Murphy Public Library and Andrews Public Library contact bwilson@nrlibrary.org located at 9 Blumenthal St., Murphy, and 871 Main St., Andrews.