All current K-6 students attending the Nutley Public Schools will have the opportunity to select books that they are interested in and motivated to read during the summer in preparation for the fall. By providing students with an element of choice, we believe that the students will be more engaged and committed to read this summer. This summer, all students are to read as many texts as possible. At the end of the summer, students should then visit the district website and select a blank bucket list provided in the online summer reading packet or they may choose to create their own version of a summer bucket list. Students should then fill the bucket list by listing the titles of the books that they read this summer. All students are expected to bring their filled buckets with them to school on the first day in September. To best support your child with selecting books, your child has been individually assessed by his/her teacher(s) using the Teachers College Assessment for Independent Reading Levels. On this leveling system, your child’s “just right” reading level has been assigned using a letter between A and Z. This “just right” level is where your child can read comfortably with fluency and understanding. In order to maintain the reading growth that your child has achieved, we are suggesting that your child read books independently on his/her reading level, throughout the entire summer, that are of interest to him/her. On our district website, we are including some suggested texts as a starting point; however, your child may choose books that are not on the suggested list. We just want him/her to read! Dependent on your child’s interest and the support that you provide, it is also appropriate for children to enjoy books that are written below or above their “just right” level. The best books can often be those that children will read because they are of high interest to them and they are motivated to read. Since some students may be motivated to read books above their reading level, you should allow your child to select some “reach” books, books above their reading level, to read during the summer; however, your child will need your support with reading these texts.