Open letter to parents of Burlington Township Public School
students.

In June I attended the Burlington Township board of
education meeting to express my dismay over the required
summer reading program.  I have twomajor concerns
regarding this program:  1. The program is MANDATORY, and
2. The assignment counts as a TEST GRADE when the children
return to school in the fall.  I have been in this school
district for approximately 2½ years and had never heard
about this program until my 3rd and 5th graders came home
with the packet of work at the end of the school year.

I questioned the legality of such a program and was 
informed that the issue would be put to the curriculum 
committee.  I suggested that the program become voluntary 
for those who want to participate and perhaps instead of 
being graded as a test grade it could count as extra credit.  
I also made several other suggestions to the school board 
as to what could be looked at for summer reading.

In July I attended the board of education meeting to hear 
the curriculum committee's recommendations.  The 
recommendation was to keep the program as is.

I am outraged at this decision.  During the open public 
discussion several comments were made by school board 
members that this summer reading program was necessary 
because it would only help to increase the townships 
scores on state testing.  If this program is so important 
then it should be completed during the school year and 
under teacher supervision.  If the school's curriculum 
cannot prepare our children for state testing then 
perhaps the curriculum needs to be revamped.

It was implied by members of the school board that by not 
participating in this program we, as parents, were doing 
a major disservice to our children.  Our children would 
not be prepared for their first marking period in school 
and they would suffer.  The only thing that would make 
our children suffer is the artificial drop of their 
grades from the zero test score that they would receive.

I also feel that those of us who objected to the program 
were chastised for being "bad" parents by members of the 
school board.  All we were requesting was for this program 
to become voluntary with extra credit for those who choose 
to participate.  Those that choose not to participate 
should not be penalized.  Summer is supposed to be a break 
from school, a time where children can read for enjoyment 
and use their imagination in play.  During the school year 
it is next to impossible to do outside family activities. 
Our children are in school all day and have hours of 
homework in the evening, as well as clubs, sports, church 
and other activities.  When are we supposed to have time 
to relax with our children, have conversations about 
whatever we want instead of school work, and to 
have time to just be ourselves without the outside 
pressures from school?  

Once the curriculum committee recommended that the summer 
reading program stay as is, other issues that are of 
concern about this program were expressed.  Currently our 
incoming 4th graders have been assigned a book that has a 
6.2 grade rated reading level, a book that shows drinking 
alcohol as a way to cope with a bad situation.  The book, 
Abel's Island, was banned in Clay County, Florida, in 1990 
as being against the school district's policy on substance 
abuse.  The book for incoming 6th graders is about a 
14-year-old girl.  Is it really appropriate for children 
that are 11 years old to be reading about the problems of 
a 14-year-old?  Issues that a 14-year-old face are far 
different than the issues of children 11 years of age.  
The incoming 7th graders have a book that requires 
the child to read German, then go to the back of the 
book to find the translation of what they read.  All of 
these books are accompanied by a packet of questions and 
lengthy activities.  This is not a simple book report 
like quite a few parents believed.

I am not trying to have the summer reading program 
discontinued.  What I am trying to do is have this program 
made voluntary.  What ever happened to providing a list 
of suggested books for the summer?  When children return 
to school in the fall they could write a book report on 
the book they choose to read during the summer.  Let 
parents decide if they wish to have their child participate 
in this program.   It is up to parents to raise their 
children, not the school district.  

I implore any parent that has a concern about this program, 
or who does not wish for their child to participate, to 
come to the school board meetings.  The next meeting is 
set for August 30th, 7pm (please note the time change), 
in the Fountain Woods School cafeteria.  Call the school 
board offices and let your voice be heard.  The school 
board is under the impression that everyone in the 
township is enamoured with this program and has absolutely 
no problem with it.  

For those who support the program please come and attend 
the school board meetings also.  What is best for your 
child may not be best for mine, and I respectfully request 
that you provide me the opportunity to CHOOSE whether or 
not my child will participate in such a program.  I am not 
asking for your children not to participate, I am asking 
for the opportunity to CHOOSE, without penalty, for mine 
not to participate.

April Klein
Burlington Township, NJ