Sample Letter Introducing the Read-a-thon
(English version)

  Welcome Parents, Students, Families, and Friends to the Books and Beyond Program!

This year, we are excited to announce our participation in the Books and Beyond recreational reading program, which starts on _____ and ends on ______. Books and Beyond is a program that brings students together with family and friends to encourage reading and to build literacy skills.

The main focus of Books and Beyond is a schoolwide read-a-thon. The read-a-thon promises to be a fun, exciting journey for all participants as they travel across a giant bulletin board containing eight different stations, reading their way to awards, certificates, and finally gold medals for those who complete the entire journey. Participants may read on their own, in class, or with family or friends. Listening to someone else read, in any language, or reading to someone else also counts toward the total ______ (books, pages, or minutes) your child will need to read.

The attached record sheet is used to keep track of the ______ (books, pages, or minutes) your child reads outside of school. When complete, you should sign this sheet and have your child turn it in to the read-a-thon coordinator at school.

We understand that, as parents, you hold high expectations for the quality of education your child receives during the school day. By encouraging him or her to participate in the read-a-thon, you are expanding upon this learning and taking it into your home, increasing the school's effectiveness. As we all know, parents are their children's first and most important teachers. Your involvement in the read-a-thon will help your child develop a lasting love of reading.

We are looking forward to participating in Books and Beyond. We will keep you informed about the progress of the program and ways in which you can help your child be successful. Please let us know if we can answer any questions about the program.

Thank you for your help in making Books and Beyond a success for our students.