Putnam+Valley+Reads

=Putnam Valley Reads= The English Language Arts (ELA) Subcommittee of the Education Enhancement Committee (EEC) of the Putnam Valley Parent Teacher Association (PTA) launched a new reading initiative entitled "Putnam Valley Reads - The Standard is 25." The title refers to the goal of encouraging Putnam Valley's students to read 25 books every year or their equivalent.

Roberta Velichko, the parent volunteer who chairs the ELA Subcommittee, has made important contacts throughout the Putnam Valley community with administrators, teachers, other parents, and the Putnam Valley Library. Ms. Velichko explained that the EEC's volunteers will maintain an open line of communication through the production of a newsletter and a special link on the district's website. [|Click here to go directly to the EEC website] Emphasis will be placed on the value and importance of reading; why it is important to model good reading habits; why books on tape are good; positive strategies some families are using now- what works; comprehension- understanding what you are reading is very important; strategies parents can use to test comprehension; and websites about reading. Promotion of "Putnam Valley Reads - The Standard is 25" will be community-wide and include flyers, banners, bumper stickers, and buttons, much of which is being funded by the Putnam Valley PTA. Additional funding has been obtained through the Putnam Valley Education Foundation. Support from the surrounding business community is welcome. This ambitious program requires the support of everyone in the greater Putnam Valley educational community in order to achieve success. For more information contact Roberta Velichko at rvelichko@optonline.net.

=The Second Annual Holiday Community Read= The bundled up visitors entering the building had to blink when they entered, just to make sure they were in the right place: the cafeteria at Putnam Valley Elementary School seemed to have been transformed into an old fashioned greeting card as the second annual Putnam Valley Holiday Community Read Aloud took place on Saturday, December 13.

Families from all over Putnam Valley gathered for the PTA-sponsored event that included holiday refreshments, crafts, and the opportunity to have a photo taken with either a menorah or a jolly Santa who—once again—seemed remarkably similar to PV's Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Marc Space.

PTA volunteer and event coorganizer Roberta Velichko was decked out in bright red to welcome everyone. Hot cocoa, holiday crafts, and musical entertainment were the order of the day. Scores of adult and student volunteers from the Putnam Valley community, Putnam Valley Elementary School, and the PV PTA and PTSA assisted with everything from decorating to snacks to crafts to picture taking. PVHS Chorus teacher Gerry Micera and his band of musical student elves entertained the group with lively carols throughout the event.

Regular readings of favorite holiday books highlighted the festivities. This year's distinguished roster of readers included PV Board of Education President, Tina Mackay; Board of Education Vice President. Guy Cohen; PVHS Assistant Principal, Sam Oliverio, Jr.; PVES Principal, Jamie Edelman; and Putnam Valley Supervisor, Bob Tendy.

This festive day is now a cherished part of Putnam Valley Reads - The Standard is 25 - an ongoing effort of the Putnam Valley PTA's Educational Enhancement Committee to promote family reading in Putnam Valley. [|Click here for online article]

=From the recent Newsletter:= Book Lists ||
 * [|Westchester Library System]
 * [|Classic Reading Lists] - //For kids' classics - user friendly, includes picture of book covers// ||
 * [|Classical Book List] - //For older classics inclusing some dating back to the 1800s// ||

=Find out more about Book Clubs!=