Summer is here. One can almost hear the collective sigh – deep breath and release – from students, parents and teachers across Athens.

It is a much deserved break for our school community that works so intensely from August to May. Strides in academic successes are achieved through the determined efforts of our students.

While the break is welcome and summer is fun, let us not forgo the gains made in the classroom over the course of the year. One simple yet critical way parents can combat the proverbial “summer slide” is through a commitment to summer reading.

Research tells us children in low-income households fall behind an average of two months in reading during the summer. We also know that summer slide is cumulative, meaning these learning losses building up each summer.

Summer learning loss accounts for two-thirds of the ninth grade achievement gap in reading between students from low-income households and their higher-income peers. Students from low-income households with access to books over the summer see significantly more gains in reading scores from spring to fall than students from high-income households with access to books and those from low-income households without access to books.

Differences in children’s summer learning experiences during their elementary school years can ultimately impact whether they earn a high school diploma and continue to college.

Athens City Schools librarians are giving students a chance to continue their good reading habits and ensure they begin the new school year with a literacy advantage. The summer reading program allows access to an elementary library once a week.

Parents are required to stay with their child. This allows parents to visit their child’s and other school libraries in the district and become more familiar with available resources.

Beginning June 14, students may visit any elementary library or Athens Intermediate School and take Accelerated Reader tests on books they read to meet their AR goals.

In addition to the intrinsic rewards of reading, these goals — as well as outside reading assignments — are much easier to complete when school begins in the fall. This motivates and encourages more reading throughout the year.

The purpose of this is to encourage summer reading and provide ways for students to get a jump start on the next school year. Most ACS schools have a recommended reading program. Students may begin completing these requirements during the summer months for the upcoming year.

“Athens City Schools is deeply committed to literacy. Above all, we want our students to enjoy reading and acquire the overall benefits associated with it,” said Carla Daws, librarian and media specialist at Julian Newman. “By opening our libraries in the summer, we hope to set the stage for success in the fall.”

Elementary summer reading schedule

(All times 9-11 a.m.)

• June 14: Julian Newman Elementary

• June 21: Athens Elementary

• June 28: SPARK Academy at Cowart

• July 5: SPARK Academy at Cowart

• July 12: Julian Newman Elementary

• July 19: Athens Elementary

• July 26: Brookhill Elementary

The Athens High School library will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, June 14, June 21, July 12 and July 26. AHS students will be able to check-in, check-out and renew books at this time.

They will also be able to get help locating resources needed for summer reading assignments. Summer Reading information is located on the library homepage and the school homepage. Students can also get this information from their English teachers.

Athens-Limestone Public Library also offers a summer program. Information can be found at www.alcpl.org.

For the love of books — and for the love of our children and for the love of their futures — grab a book and stay sharp this summer.

— Hickman is over communications and strategic planning for Athens City Schools. She can be reached at Ginger.Hickman@acs-k12.org.