MAYOR BROWN’S KIDS SUMMER READING CHALLENGE A HUGE SUCCESS

 

BUFFALO—Fulfilling his promise to continue his “Reading Rules! Kids Summer Reading Challenge,” Mayor Byron Brown today handed out over 500 certificates to students in the City of Buffalo who successfully completed the 2006 challenge.

 

“The response to my Summer Reading Challenge has grown every year since I started it as a State Senator in 2001, so it was only natural to continue the program as Mayor of Buffalo,” said Mayor Brown. “This year’s program is bigger and better, showing the commitment of Buffalo’s school children to continue reading over the summer when school is not in session. I am proud of both the children and their parents for their active participation.”

 

Each student was required to read 7 books at or above their grade level, write summaries for each book and send them in by the predetermined deadline. Since the program began in 2001, over 15,000 books have been read by area students.

 

“I first started this reading challenge after learning of the declining reading scores on statewide tests among elementary school children,” said Mayor Brown. “It is my firm belief that in order to succeed academically and to succeed in life, our children must become proficient in reading and writing. The Summer Reading Challenge is focused directly on that objective and I am pleased that the challenge continues to grow and expand every year.”

 

This year’s sponsors include: Alternative Information Systems, Police Athletic League of Buffalo, Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center, General Mills, Tops Markets, Delaware North Companies, New Era Cap Company, K-Mart (Hertel Avenue Store), Try-It Distributing, Citizens Bank, Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Bisons, Buffalo Sabres, First Impressions Apparel, King Corporate Services, Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo Museum of Science, Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society, Cold Stone Creamery, Wegmans Food Markets, The Church Store, Subway at True Bethel, Lasertron, Adventure Landing and the Buffalo Public Schools.

 

The prize pack that each student receives includes free admission passes to: the Buffalo Zoo, the Buffalo Museum of Science, the Albright Knox Art Gallery, and the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society; also, tickets to a Buffalo Sabres game. All children wil also receive free books, a Reading Rules t-shirt, as well as free ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery, discount coupons to local retailers, boxes of General Mills cereal and much more.

 

Prizes in the raffle include: 6 complete desktop computers, 30 bicycles, Sony Playstations, CD players, gift certificates, and much more.