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Edgecomb Public Schools launches summer reading challenge to boost K–12 literacy
Summary
District leaders unveiled the ECPS Summer Reading Challenge running June 15–Aug. 23, asking students to read 20 minutes daily, with digital logs, community library partners and prizes including recognition at the September board meeting.
Edgecomb Public Schools on May 11 unveiled a districtwide Summer Reading Challenge designed to keep students reading through the summer and to prepare them for the coming school year.
"Our goal is that we put something in place that excites children about reading over the summer," Latasha Dove, the district's elementary director, told the school board. The program runs June 15–Aug. 23 and asks students to read 20 minutes per day and log their time on a district digital reading log; paper logs will be accepted for families without digital access.
The district will run the program as a "Battle of the Schools," tracking participation and reading totals on weekly leaderboards posted to the district's social channels and website. Students will have access to books through school-provided summer book packets, local library collections and district-provided digital access via Sora. "We'll be posting weekly updates on the website, social media, school announcements, and parent messages," Dove said.
Organizers described separate expectations for academically gifted (AIG) students: AIG participants will receive a curated pack of five books and must read at least one, accompanied by a reading project graded with a provided rubric. The challenge is also being used to encourage early preparation for next year's Battle of the Books competitions; staff said teams may include up to 12 students (six can be onstage at a time), and any student who reads the Battle list can try out for a team.
District staff outlined prizes and recognition to motivate participation, including gift cards, book packets, certificates and a top-reader recognition at the September board meeting. "We'd like to recognize them and have them highlighted at our September board of education meeting," Dove said. The superintendent has agreed to a prize of lunch with the superintendent for top readers.
The program partners include the Edgecomb Memorial Library (Brazwell Memorial Library and Pinetops branch), local summer youth programs and faith-based camps; staff said they are also working with the Boys & Girls Club to increase outreach. The district committed to ensuring every child goes home with at least one book for the summer, drawing on existing classroom sets and books purchased last year.
Implementation details: entries close Aug. 23 to allow staff time to verify logs; AIG projects should be submitted the first week of school for credit; and the district will publicize a kickoff video to students the Friday after the board meeting.
District leaders said the effort is part of a larger literacy push tied to classroom instruction: staff are expanding the science-of-reading professional development and tying summer work to classroom continuity. The board and staff encouraged principals and community partners to help ensure equitable access to reading materials across the county.
The program launch drew questions from board members about mobile library distribution and ensuring that students most in need are enrolled; staff said they will coordinate with library mobile units and school principals to reach underserved areas.
The board did not take a separate vote on the summer reading plan; the presentation was provided as an informational item with staff directed to proceed with the announced timeline.
