Research has proven that a minimum of one hour per week of recreational reading will result in higher reading scores. Helfrich Park is currently in the second year of the three-year initiative, and test scores indicate improvement. Teachers have observed that students are more focused and better prepared to work after they have spent their first minutes of the school day reading, but the process has not been free of problems. While the administration remains vigilant at keeping the reading time free of any interruptions, a committee composed of teachers and the library media specialist addresses concerns that arise throughout the year. During their daily meetings, grade-level teams frequently discuss the reading initiative.
Teachers share successes and help each other discover good read-alouds.
Book acquisitions for the classrooms and for the library media center respond to student requests, and students are increasingly requesting more challenging reading material with attention to specific authors and genres. The building administration enthusiastically supports and encourages the school community to participate in the schoolwide effort to improve student success in reading. Parents are encouraged to extend the reading initiative by reading aloud to their children and by promoting recreational reading in the home. Strong ties to the public libraries, the local bookstores, and local businesses continue to give momentum to the initiative.