Bremen HS Freshman Academy Teams Up with Midlothian Public Library

Best practice guidelines in college preparatory education recommend that students read at least 20 minutes per day outside of assigned class reading. To this end, the Bremen High School Freshman Academy and Midlothian Public Library have instituted a cooperative summer reading program, which concluded its second year on July 2, 2015. In this program, Freshman Academy students were encouraged to read outside of class time and record minutes read and write reviews of their reading online. Students who reached specified benchmarks received gift card prizes donated by the Friends of the Midlothian Library, ranging from $5 to $50. Of the 64 students enrolled in the Freshman Academy, 21 students recorded reading minutes, and 11 achieved prize levels. Basic Level winners, recording at least 80 minutes of reading, included Uriel Gonzalez and Edward McFall, Jr. Advanced Level winners, reading at least 240 minutes, included: Amner Diaz, Daniel Gordillo, and Leonel Hernandez. Super Level winners, who recorded at least 400 minutes, were: Tommy Avalos, Madelynn Galka, Jessica Mejia, and Yarithza Ramirez. The Grand Prize Runner-Up, Juana Carillo, clocked 504 minutes, and Alani Perkin received the Grand Prize, with a total of 606 minutes read. It is the hope of the Bremen High School administration and the staff of Midlothian Public Library that participation in this program will be a first step among many that these incoming Bremen freshmen take to establish positive habits that lead to academic success. (Pictured: Students named above in addition to Dr. Kibelkis, Principal Bremen High school; Jennifer Cottrill, Midlothain Librarian for Adult/Teen; and Dr. Simone, Assistant Principal).