School District 54 and the Campanelli YMCA are hosting a day of races on Sunday, Sept. 26, to support literacy in School District 54. Our goal is to collect 1,000 children’s books for every classroom in District 54.

The event begins at 8 a.m. with a 100-yard dash for children in first grade and younger; followed by a 400-yard dash for children in sixth grade and younger. Both races take place at Dirksen School, 116 W. Beech Drive in Schaumburg.

The day of races also includes a 5K race at 8:30 a.m. and a family fun walk at 8:45 a.m. Awards will be presented to the top male and female winner and the top age group winners in the 5K. An awards ceremony will take place at about 9:40 a.m. All children participating in the 100- and 400-yard dashes will also receive a medal.

All individuals participating in any run or walk must register in advance. The early-bird discounted cost to participate is $5 for junior high school age and younger, $15 for high school students and adults age 60 and older, and $25 for adults ages 19 to 59. All those prices rise by $5 after Sept. 11 ($10 for junior high school age and younger, $20 for high school students and adults age 60 and older, and $30 for adults ages 19 to 59).

Registration continues until 8 a.m. on the morning of the event. Registration and packet pick-up will begin at 7 a.m. inside school gym. Anyone who registers by Sept. 21 can also pick up their packets at Dick Pond Athletics in Schaumburg on Sept. 23-25.

No bicycles, skates, scooters or pets are allowed on the courses. Strollers are allowed on the walk only.

While the YMCA is the title sponsor of the event, the race is also looking for additional sponsors. Donations are also being accepted for both the goody bags and post-race raffle prizes.

If you are interested in attending or sponsoring the event, visit sd54.org/runtoread (online registration is available at this link). You may also contact Terri McHugh at (847) 357-5028 or terrimchugh@sd54.org. 

Most of our students in first through eighth grade will attend their first day of the 2010-11 school year on Tuesday, Aug. 24. At Eisenhower, Keller and Mead, only seventh-grade students will attend on the 24th. Eighth-grade students will return to school on Aug. 25.

Kindergarten and early childhood students will start Aug. 30.

Some schools have planned welcome back activities and curriculum nights in August and September. We urge parents to visit the schools and take an active role in their children’s education.

It is hard to believe that another school year is quickly coming to an end. This has been another terrific one in School District 54; our students continue to make remarkable progress. For this to happen, the right ingredients for success need to be in place. We are extremely fortunate to have eager students, supportive parents, passionate teachers and dedicated support staff. Each of these critical components helps us sustain the high levels of learning that are taking place in all 27 of our schools. 

As you make plans for the summer, we strongly encourage you to make reading an important part of your child’s daily routine. Research consistently shows that reading during the summer enhances student achievement in all academic areas. Reading to your children and having them read independently expands their knowledge, interests and overall enjoyment of reading.

Children read more when they see others reading. Like any skill that is practiced, the more time children spend reading, the better readers they become. Studies have shown that children who read more, write and spell better. Reading on a regular basis also helps to build a child’s imagination and curiosity along with their vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.

Experts in the field recommend finding reading materials that relate to the specific interests of the child, such as sports, animals, nature, dinosaurs, fantasy or adventure stories. In addition to books, other materials such as comics, magazines and the Internet may spark and expand a child’s interest in reading.

Watching a movie that is based on a novel often motivates a child to read. Many parents have also found that turning on the captioning feature and reducing the volume encourages children to read the words on the television screen.

Normal daily activities also provide many opportunities for reading. Following a recipe from a cookbook, reading the television listings or sports section in the local newspaper, looking for information on the Internet and learning about a place you will be visiting during the summer offer meaningful reading experiences that children enjoy.

Each of us can use frequent reminders of the importance of modeling reading for children. Too often we may unintentionally send a message that reading is a chore, something that must be completed before a child can play with a friend or watch television. Instead, reading should be seen as an enjoyable experience and a fun way to spend time. Reading can be a great activity when riding in a car, waiting for an appointment or relaxing at home. Books are easy to take anyplace you are going, can be read almost anywhere and do not require an electrical outlet or wireless connection.

Children know that parents value reading when they ask questions about a particular book. They love talking about what they are reading, sharing what they liked best, discussing how they could change the ending, in addition to thinking of different ways that they might solve a situation that is encountered by one of the characters in the story.

If you have not already done so, please help your children find the time to make reading be part of their daily routine. Developing an enjoyment of reading is one of the best gifts that an adult can give a child.

Thanks again for your unending support in helping to make District 54 a great place to learn.  Have a wonderful summer.