Introduction to the Norcross Reads school-wide reading program.

1. Elements of this letter have been used with permission from Penny Kittle, author of Book Love
Reads
The NHS Language Arts Department believes that out-of-class, self-guided, reading is essential
to building lifelong learners of our students. Throughout the year we expect all students to read
on their own, for their enjoyment. All classes will have some time dedicated to Norcross Reads,
determined by grade and level, but the expectation is for students to read at least two hours
weekly on their own; they should also carry their books with them daily in case they have an
opportunity to read. An assignment will not always accompany the reading – reading simply for
the sake of reading, and the inherent benefits, is often the goal.
The Language Arts Department believes that reading allows students to grow their understanding
of the world—and themselves—through the varied experiences that independent reading can
offer. These lenses give insight into others’ perspectives and views, occasionally even from those
who are not completely agreeable. The best books challenge our beliefs by helping us see
through different eyes—to live a different life.
It is impossible for us to know the details of every book students choose to read and refer to
throughout the year. What we seek for all students is a compulsion to read—for pleasure—for
knowledge—for a passion for story or information that will keep them into the pages of a book
past our assigned time for reading.
The benefits of reading are tremendous:
 Reading allows students to grow their understanding of the world beyond their own
present experience. Fiction writing and informational articles offer young readers lenses
through which they can view others’ perspectives. In this way, students can evaluate the
morality and values of characters or of real-life situations; reading, then offers a chance
to stretch and grow in personal character.
 Reading relieves stress. School is stressful. Reading takes you out of the present and
into another place and time; it is a perfect escape.
 Reading builds stamina to prepare students for college and their lives after high school.
Reading for an hour or two in one sitting is a basic expectation in college. Reading for
fluency and stamina has been proven to improve the reading rate for students. Fast
reading develops confidence and an appetite for books as well as teaching vocabulary in
context, which improves writing, but it only happens when students find books they want
to read.
There is a misconstrued belief that today’s students won't read, but we believe students substitute
all of those other distractions if they feel no passion for an assigned text. Students can and will
become quite passionate about reading with the right book in their hands. But those books might

2. Elements of this letter have been used with permission from Penny Kittle, author of Book Love
challenge your values. We believe we must trust our students in choosing books that challenge
them while also providing joy and entertainment. We have to trust that books won't corrupt our
students any more than the movies and videos that are readily and easily available on their
cellphones and tablets will.
What we have seen is the power of reading to challenge a student’s thinking, to strengthen or
shape beliefs or knowledge and character, to inspire and induce action in their lives. Students
need the time and space to read, and Norcross Reads intends to provide that time regularly.
We hope that you will talk to your child about what he/she is reading this year. We encourage
you to get a copy of the book, read it alongside him/her, and have conversations about the text. If
you want to know more about a book your child is reading, please try the School Library Journal
web site, the American Library Association web site, or even Amazon.com. Or contact us—we’ll
tell you what we know.
Because we respect your role as parents and the traditions you hold sacred, if you want us to
monitor more closely your child's choices this semester, by all means, email us and we'll
collaborate with you on a solution.