Sidney Middle School encouraging lifelong love of reading 

SIDNEY – Reading is a skill, a passion, that follows a person through life, strengthening the “soft skills” of employment. 

Sidney Middle School Principal Brandon Ross says nurturing those skills starts young. 

“We often see students struggle with independent reading. Yet, we know how critical reading is for overall success. Our Accelerated Reading Program gives students the opportunity to practice at their own individual level, reading books of interest and demonstrate comprehension through assessments,” Ross said. 

Ross said there is a direct relationship between reading and future success. 

“Research consistently shows that the more students read the more they improve, and that growth makes every other class they take more accessible. Ultimately, strong reading skills give students confidence and hope, hope that they can succeed in high school, in college and in life,” he said. 

The Accelerated Reading Program is designed with methods to track reading achievements, and incentives for those achievements. 

Media specialist at the Sidney Middle School and High School Jennifer Ramsey said her role in the program began when Ross approached her. 

“Mr. Ross actually approached me earlier in the year about developing an accelerated reader rewards system. So, we’ve done Accelerated Reader for a while. As far as the rewards system goes, it’s aligned where first of all, students can fill out a bookmark after they’ve completed an AR test. And if they receive 80 percent or above and get it signed by a teacher, they can bring down that bookmark along with the book they finished reading and be able to receive candy rewards and just it’s a way for me to talk to them about how the book went, and what to move onto next,” she said. 

Students can also earn points through Accelerated Reader. Students can earn a place in the “Twenty Points Club” all the way up to 1,000 points, Ramsey said. 

“We display posters in the hallway as you come into the Middle School. So, staff, students, even visitors can see those and we just love to recognize the hard work that students are putting in,” she said. 

Seventh and eighth grade English teacher Bridget Reece oversees the AR program.  

“We’ve always wanted to do something that would inspire the students to do even better on it, and that is where Mrs. Ramsey has come in with her wonderful rewards program, which has really taken off this year. We’ve seen students that have finished getting all the points that are necessary for their year, still loving to read. I think one of the main things that we need to remember about the AR Reading Program is that it’s not just holding kids accountable for reading. It is that reading is fundamental,” Reece said. 

She said people often say it, but don't realize how true it is.