Champion Summer Readers Honored in Point Boro

The 19 Point Borough students who read the most books during the summer were honored by the Board of Education.

The honorees, representing each of the four schools, were recognized for their participation in the district's 2011 Summer Reading Program as either top readers in their grade or as grand prize winners for their age group.

Students received certificates at last week's borough Board of Education meeting.

“Point Pleasant Schools’ Summer Reading Program recognizes and rewards students in kindergarten through grade 12 for reading books during the summer months,” Director of Curriculum & Instruction Robert Alfonse said at the meeting.

“Now in its fourth year, the Summer Reading Program continues to engage and inspire our children, fostering a life-long love of reading.”

“Tying in with this year’s national themes of “One World, Many Stories” for children, and “You Are Here” for teens, the 2011 Reading Program utilized a global theme to encourage our young readers to explore the worlds of wonder that exist in books and literature,” continued Alfonse.

“I’m pleased to announce that student participation has hit a school record, increasing by one hundred percent from last year!

 “In just nine weeks, 400 borough students read over 5,000 books,” he said. “While we are proud of all our students, tonight we are here to recognize the program’s most prolific readers who, combined, read 1,175 books over the course of the summer.”

Superintendent of Schools Vincent S. Smith, Board of Education President Sean Hagan and Vice-President Susan Byington joined Alfonse at the podium to announce the name of each grade’s top reader.

From Ocean Road Elementary School, the top readers included: Sam Gross in Grade 1; Rachel Kim in Grade 2; Soncera Ball in Grade 3; Grade 4’s Alex ten Broeke Levitsky and fifth grader Elizabeth Kissel.

From Nellie Bennett the top readers in grades 1 through 4 were, in ascending order: Ryan Koscinski; Evan Silva; Kimberly Koscinski, and Christopher Sherman. Fifth graders tied, with Evan Walters and Brooke Dale earning the top reader distinction.

Memorial Middle School’s top readers included: Kimberlee Sibilia in Grade 6; Diena ten Broeke Levitsky in Grade 7; and Alex Stupar from Grade 8.

Point Borough High School’s top readers were: Alexandra Ipsaro in Grade 9; Elsie ten Broeke Levitsky in Grade 10; Krista Meslar in Grade 11 and Senior Lauren Kehoe.

For being designated the top reader in their respective grade, each student was presented with a certificate of achievement, as well as certificates for free goodies from Sundae’s, Rita’s Italian Ices, Little Caesars Pizza, as well passes to Jenkinson’s Aquarium and the Liberty Science Center.

“In addition to the prizes for each grade’s top reader, all participants in the Summer Reading Program are eligible to win a very special grand prize donated by the Point Pleasant Foundation for Excellence in Education,” said Alfonse. “This year the Foundation donated two Barnes & Noble NOOK Color reading tablets, one for each of the program’s themes.”

Alfonse was then joined by Foundation representative Michele Hart to distribute the NOOK Colors to the grand prize-winners.

For the children’s theme, “One World, Many Stories” Nellie Bennett Elementary School third grader Samantha Licini was the recipient of the NOOK Color.

Point Pleasant Borough High School ninth grade Top Reader, Alexandra Ipsaro, won the teen grand prize for the theme “You are Here."

 “Historically, the community has been incredibly supportive of the Summer Reading Program,” said Alfonse. “Whether by participating in the Point Pleasant Reads initiative, to demonstrate the importance of reading to our community’s young people, or by donating items to reward our top readers, this support is vital to the success of the program.”

Alfonse also acknowledged the Point Borough Branch of the Ocean County Library for maintaining the program throughout the summer and their overall role in making the program possible.

“The Summer Reading Program is a perfect example of success achieved through collaboration between the school district, the community and our students and their parents,” Smith said.

“The program provides structure and tangible rewards for our students," Smith said. "The entire district shares my sincere gratitude to all of the program’s benefactors, especially the Point Pleasant Foundation for Excellence in Education, for their generous support in providing incentives to encourage our students’ participation.”

“Although, the prizes may serve as the initial attraction, the program encourages the development of positive reading habits,” said Mr. Smith. “It is a fact that students who participate in summer reading programs are more likely to read at, or above, grade level which translates into improved academic performance during the school year.

"The increase in student participation this year is remarkable and a testament to the staff and community who help make the Summer Reading Program possible,” he said. “Our students will be reaping the benefits of this program throughout their education.” 

 To find out more about the Point Pleasant School District, visit the district website.