Developing a Love for Reading at Jefferson School

Jefferson Primary School faculty and staff members are striving to develop a love for reading in students. The school’s Pick a Reading Partner (PARP) program kicked off last week. It will run through March 28. This year’s theme is Discover the Magic of Reading!

“We were thrilled to welcome special guest readers from the Huntington School District, including Ms. [Judy] Moroff, director of bilingual programs and world languages; Mr. [Michael] Marinello, coordinator of PE and athletics and Mrs. [Traci] Roethel, Finley Middle School principal,” Jefferson Principal Valerie Capitulo-Saide said. “We also had a visit from Ms. [Gena] Mizzi of the Huntington Public Library, who read to students in our classrooms.”

Jefferson also hosted universal pre-kindergarten and kindergarten parents, grandparents and guardians who shared stories with students. “Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this day special for our students,” Ms. Capitulo-Saide said.

“Learning to read is the single most important activity in a child’s education,” according to the New York State PTA’s website. “Studies show that children who read at home are better prepared to succeed in formal education. PARP is a program that asks parents to read with their children for at least fifteen minutes daily, stressing the fact that reading can be fun as well as informative. The choice of reading materials can vary from books to anything with printed words.”

Many Jefferson parents have noted a love for reading beginning to take hold in students as they discover the joy the activity can bring into their lives, not to mention the strengthened vocabulary, spelling, grammar and word usage skills and all the knowledge gained.

“The daily activity of reading together strengthens reading and communication skills in the child and also strengthens the parent/child relationship,” according to the NYS PTA website. “Note: The term ‘parents’ may be interpreted broadly to include all adults who play an important role in a child’s life.”