Rotary, HRCU book donations help kick off summer reading program

Rochester Rotary Club President Kerry Norton hands out donated books to first-graders at School Street School. (Photo/courtesy Rochester Public Schools)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Public Schools announced on Tuesday that they are partnering with Rochester Rotary Club and the Holy Rosary Credit Union in the launch of the district's summer reading program with book donations to students in Grade 1 and 2.

On Monday Rotary Club President Kerry Norton and HRCU President and CEO Brian Hughes visited students at the School Street School to kick off the initiative.

Each first- and second-grader in all eight of Rochester's elementary schools, plus St. Elizabeth Seton School and Monarch School of New England, will receive a book.

"It's terrific that students will leave here ready for their summer reading," Repucci said. "During COVID-19 they could not take a book home from school. Now they have them."

The Rochester Rotary Club has supported the Summer Reading Program for nearly 20 years.

"Children in the Rochester community are very important to the Rotary," Norton said. "Supporting the Summer Reading program is a great way to support all children."

Holy Rosary Credit Union, which was founded in Rochester, supports numerous educational initiatives. During the school year, the credit union maintains a branch at the Richard W. Creteau Regional Technology Center at Spaulding High School in Rochester.

"The Credit Union has done a lot in the area of financial literacy," Hughes said. "Being asked to sponsor Summer Reading is just a natural fit for us."

Bud Carlson Academy students helped pack the books, and added labels inside each book cover recognizing the donations.

The district also has partnered with Rochester Public Library. Students will receive a reading log to track books they read this summer, while parents receive suggestions for about 20 grade-appropriate books.

Donated books are for students to read for pleasure, though students who complete the reading log and bring it to school in the fall will have a chance to earn a special prize.

This summer's theme is Tails & Tales, with stories centered on animals. More than 600 books have been donated. Each school selected the books they will receive:

Chamberlain Street School: Grade 1, "The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend," by Dan Santat, and Grade 2, "Mr. Sunny is Funny," by Dan Gutman

East Rochester School: Grade 1, "Frog and Toad are Friends," by Arnold Lobel, and Grade 2, "Mother Bruce," by Ryan T. Higgins

Gonic School: Grade 1, "The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend," by Dan Santat, and Grade 2, "Bad Kitty Joins the Team," by Nick Bruel

Maple Street Magnet School: A selection of books.

McClelland School: Grade 1, "A Friend for a Dragon," by Dav Pilkey, and Grade 2, "Who Would Win? Ultimate Ocean Rumble," by Jerry Pallotta

Nancy Loud School: Grades 1 and 2, "The Dot," by Peter H. Reynolds

School Street School: Grade 1, "Pete the Cat's Train Trip," by James Dean, and Grade 2, "Amazing Dolphins!" by Sarah L. Thompson

William Allen School: A selection of books.

St. Elizabeth Seton School: Grade 1, "Whoever You Are" by Mem Fox, and Grade 2, "I am Jane Goodall," by Brad Meltzer

Monarch School of New England: A selection of books

To view a video that Rochester Rotary Club members created about their love of reading, please click here.