June 21, 2000



Ladies and Gentlemen of the School Board:

I have a few words I'd like to say about the Summer Reading
Program, or RAP for short.

While I find it commendable that the school district 
provides a book for every student to read during the summer, 
I find it disturbing that the book and accompanying packet 
of work are required.  There are items in this packet that 
the students have not been taught, yet this would count as a 
test grade for their new year and first marking period in 
school.

There is no legal mandate that requires children to perform 
schoolwork during the summer, nor is there a legal mandate 
that allows a child to be penalized if they do not.

I, for one, will not have my children participate, nor will
I accept a penalty if they do not.  One alternative would
be to offer this program as an extra credit option.  I 
would much rather see a suggested reading list sent home 
and when the students return to school in the fall they 
could write a report on books that they have read.

Thank you,
 
April Klein