June 2, 2026
Dear Mustang Families,
As we close the chapter on an incredible 2025-2026 school year, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your partnership, support, and commitment to your children's education. Together, we celebrated achievements, overcame challenges, created lasting memories, and watched our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. It has truly been an amazing year, and I could not be more proud of our students, staff, and families.
As summer begins, I encourage all of our Mustangs to continue learning, exploring, creating, and most importantly, reading.
Every summer, many children experience, what educators refer to as the "summer slide" a term used to describe the learning loss that can occur when students are away from school routines for an extended period of time.
The good news is that preventing the summer slide does not require hours of worksheets. Some of the most effective strategies are simple and enjoyable.
Recent research from HarperCollins and Nielsen Book Data found that fewer parents are reading aloud to their children than ever before, even though children who are regularly read to are more likely to become lifelong readers and develop stronger literacy skills.
Reading aloud builds vocabulary, strengthens comprehension, fosters imagination, and creates meaningful family connections.
Research shows that simple habits can make a tremendous difference:
• Read with your child every day, even if it is only 15–20 minutes.
• Continue reading aloud, even after your child can read independently.
• Let children choose books that interest them.
• Visit the library and participate in summer reading programs.
• Encourage audiobooks, magazines, and graphic novels.
• Ask questions, explore topics of interest, and spark curiosity.
• Play math games and find opportunities to use numbers in everyday life.
• Encourage writing through journals, letters, or vacation stories.
• Visit museums, parks, lakes, and historical sites together.
Reading should never be reduced to a school assignment. It opens doors to new worlds, sparks curiosity, builds empathy, and helps children discover who they are. The greatest gift we can give our children is helping them fall in love with books.
Whether your family is traveling or enjoying a staycation close to home, I encourage you to make reading part of your summer routine. A book in a backpack, a trip to the library, or a family read-aloud can make a lasting difference.
Thank you for sharing your amazing children with us this year. It has been an honor and a privilege to be part of their educational journey. I hope your summer is filled with sunshine, family adventures, wonderful memories, and plenty of great books.
Have a safe, joyful,and well-deserved summer break. We look forward to welcoming our Mustangs back in August!
Have fun reading,
Mrs. Newton
