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City of Buffalo Press Releases

Posted on: May 7, 2019

Mayor Brown Seeks Reading Rules! Champions

Buffalo, N.Y. – Mayor Byron W. Brown today announced his 18th annual Reading Rules! Summer Reading Challenge in the library at the Stanley M. Makowski Early Childhood Center. He was joined by Buffalo School Administrators, students, as well as the Department of Community Services and Recreational Programming, the Buffalo Police Athletic League, and Reading Rules! event sponsors.

Last year, a record number of over 2,000 students, in grades K-12, successfully completed Mayor Brown’s summer reading program. Mayor Brown started Reading Rules! in 2001 when he was a New York State Senator to help increase literacy in the Buffalo and Western New York area. During his tenure as Mayor, over 16,000 Champion Readers in Buffalo have completed the challenge since 2006.

“It’s wonderful to see how my Summer Reading Challenge has grown and evolved over the past 18 years,” said Mayor Brown. “As I continue to build an inclusive and equitable City of Buffalo, I want all of our youth to continue to strengthen their reading skills during the summer months, particularly those who reside in our under-served communities. 20 minutes of reading per day can help increase literacy and a lifelong love for learning.”

“We know that becoming proficient at anything requires constant practice,” said Dr. Kriner Cash, Buffalo School Superintendent. “The Education Bargain forms a pact between parents and the district to get children off to a good start and urge them toward their potential throughout their school years. Being read to, early reading, and a life-long joy of reading comes from reading every day to boost comprehension, classroom involvement, and ultimate success. Thank you, Mayor Brown, for inspiring children and families to read throughout the summer months for 17 years through Reading Rules!”

Between the months of June and August, students are required to read seven books at or above their grade level and complete seven book summaries by August 9, 2019. Parents can find more information and register their children using the online participation form on the city website, www.buffalony.gov. Participants are encouraged to submit their summaries online.

All Champion Readers are invited to attend Mayor Brown’s awards ceremony, which will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. Mark your calendars!

This year’s sponsors include:

The City of Buffalo

Police Athletic League of Buffalo, Inc.

Buffalo Public Schools

Say Yes to Education-Buffalo

AT&T

Anderson’s

M&T Bank

Alternative Information Systems

Variety - The Children’s Charity of Buffalo & WNY

CB Emmanuel Realty

Norstar