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Approximately 3,500 students will be enrolled into the Kids Read Now program, an initative for expanded learning opportunities for second grade students to mitigate the “summer slide.”

Elementary Director of Curriculum Dr. Bethany Quisenberry said the program uses books that are mailed directly to the student’s house.

The teacher will work with the student in April to help them choose eight books according to their reading level. The weekly delivery will include the book, as well as resources for the family and comprehensive activities.

Quisenberry said the students who participate in the program have multiple opportunities to report to the Kids Read Now program when they finish the book, either through a screen shot photograph, text messages, calling, or filling out information online. She said a little surprise will be sent to them in the mail.

“They will get a book every week for nine weeks,” Quisenberry said with the ninth book entailing illustrations and blank pages, so the student can create their own story.

If, for some reason, the student does not live at the address to which the book is sent, the book will be returned to Kids Read Now before being rerouted to the district’s office, so the books can be delivered to the student at the beginning of the school year.

The school board approved the agreement with Kids Read Now, Inc. last Tuesday night in the amount of $69,610, funded by Title 1. The second grade students who will participate in the program are from Tier 3 elementary schools: San Carlos Park Elementary; G. Weaver Hipps Elementary; Tice Elementary; Harns Marsh Elementary; Orange River Elementary; James Stephens International Academy; Tortuga Preserve Elementary; Edgewood Academy Elementary; Franklin Park Elementary and Manatee Elementary.

The goals of the endeavor is to increase college and career readiness, as well as increase academic achievement.