By Fritz Edelstein
March 28, 2005

Dayton (OH) Mayor Rhine McLin has once again challenged Dayton school children to read more books as a way to help improve their literacy skills. She announced that students in any public, private or Charter school in the city limits who read the prescribed amount of books during the current school year will receive certificates of achievement from the Dayton City Commission and be invited to a special event in their honor at the end of the school year. This challenge started in mid-November 2004, and will conclude at the end of the current school year.

For the Mayor's Reading Challenge, students may read alone or, for younger students, be read to by an adult or older sibling. The mayor has issued a similar challenge in previous years as a way to help encourage kids to read. The specific reading guidelines have been established for each age group.

"This is just another way the city of Dayton and the local schools can work together to enhance literacy skills among our young people," McLin said. "I know schools have placed a lot of emphasis on reading and writing, so I want to offer some additional incentive for students who put forth the effort."

One public school in Dayton has taken the challenge to another level. Horace Mann Montessori School has decided to host their own 25 Book Club Celebration. It is scheduled for May 20 as an incentive to participate in the program and the mayor intends to attend this event.

McLin will visit schools to distribute the Reading Certificates personally. In addition, a special recognition luncheon or similar event will be conduct to congratulate those who reached the reading goals.