School may be out for now, but learning is always in season. Serving over 18,700 students across seven cities with an area of 84 square miles, South Washington County Schools shared the following tips for student summer reading in a recent newsletter:

Create A Summer Reading Plan
• Talk about what types of books your student enjoys—genres, topics, authors or series
• Set a realistic reading goal for the summer—for example five books
• Use a calendar to plan when each book will be finished.
• Track progress together and celebrate small wins.
• Reading alongside your child to model good habits and start conversations.

Read Every Day
• Join a summer reading program at your library or online.
• Listen to audiobooks during car rides or quiet time.
• Let your child choose their own books—they’re more likely to read them.
• Keep books in places your child spend time—bedroom, car, or living room.
• Start a simple book club with friends, neighbors or family.

Support Reading and Writing at Home
• Read and write in front of your child to show it’s part of daily life.
• Talk often—ask questions, tell stories and listen.
• Offer real writing tasks like grocery lists, notes or messages.
• Encourage their ideas and make it okay to make mistakes.

Also in view this summer for District 833, the district offers support for students and their families experiencing homelessness in South Washington County. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act fines homeless individuals as those “who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” Examples of this can include those living with a friend, relative, or other due to loss of housing or economic hardship, those living in motels or hotels, shelters, cars, parks, public spaces, campgrounds, transitional housing, abandoned buildings, or bus and train stations. This includes unaccompanied youth not in the care of a parent or guardian. Those in need of assistance may contact the district homeless liaison and family resource specialist Crystal Gentry by calling 651-425-3776 or 651-706-0771, as well as via email at cgentry@sowashco.org.
They can also fill out the homeless education intake form on the district website at www.sowashco.org by following the link trail: Home, Services, and Homelessness.
Homelessness and hardship can happen to anyone. Don’t be afraid to reach out for support and help.