New Hanover County Schools Open School Libraries for
Summer Library Program to Help Achievement Gap

New Hanover County Schools is operating a summer library program at its Title I elementary and middle schools throughout the summer months. The main goal of the summer library program is to increase students’ access to books and opportunities to read for leisure. The summer library program has been implemented to help reduce the achievement gap in reading, which typically widens during summer vacation. Research shows that children who read books during the summer improve their reading fluency, reading comprehension, and vocabulary, all of which help keep students on track for graduation. The district is able to offer the summer reading program through funds allotted by the federal Title I program for the 2011-12 school year.

Libraries at participating Title I schools will be open for six hours during the afternoon/early evening, one day per week, to give parents the opportunity to bring their child to the school to check out books. Each school has been provided flexibility in deciding which day of the week to be open. The summer reading program will conclude on Friday, August 17th. The schools’ library schedules are as follows:

Mondays, 12 noon – 6:00 p.m.

• Rachel Freeman School of Engineering
  2601 Princess Place Drive

• Myrtle Grove Middle School
  901 Piner Road

Tuesdays, 12 noon-6:00 p.m.

• Alderman Elementary School
  2025 Independence Blvd.

• Castle Hayne Elementary School
  3925 Roger Haynes Drive

• College Park Elementary School
  5001 Oriole Drive

• Forest Hills Global Elementary School
  602 Colonial Drive

• Gregory School of Science, Math & Technology
  1106 Ann Street

• Holly Shelter Middle school
  3921 Roger Haynes Drive

• Murray Middle School
  655 Halyburton Memorial Pkwy

• Sunset Park Elementary School
  613 Alabama Avenue

Tuesdays, 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

• Pine Valley Elementary School
  440 John S. Mosby Drive

Wednesdays, 12:00 noon – 6:00 p.m.

• Blair Elementary School
  6510 Market Street

• Snipes Academy of Arts & Design
  2150 Chestnut Street

• Trask Middle School
  2900 North College Road

• Mary C. Williams Elementary School
  801 Silver Lake Road

• Williston Middle School
  401 South 10th Street

• Winter Park Elementary School
  204 South MacMillan Avenue

• Wrightsboro Elementary School
  2716 Castle Hayne Road

Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

• Bellamy Elementary School
  70 Sanders Road

Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

• Bradley Creek Elementary School
  6211 Greenville Loop Road

Thursdays, 12 noon – 6:00 p.m.

• Murrayville Elementary School
  225 Mabee Way
  *For the week of July 15th, Murrayville will be open on Wednesday, July 18th, from 12 noon – 6:00 p.m., instead of the regularly scheduled Thursday.

For more information about NHCS’ summer reading program, contact NHCS Title I Director Emma Jackson at (910) 254-4111.

Posted: 07/05/2012