Junior Senator Reading Program
Senator Standridge initiated a Junior Senator Reading Program in the fall of 2013. He is currently implementing this in twelve schools, but hopes to add many more elementary schools in the district each year. Mid-Del, Little Axe, Norman and Noble school districts have schools who are participating.
Program Overview
Because Senator Standridge believes that reading is the key to great success in life, he has offered a program that assists teachers in motivating their young students to read. His assistant Susan Wallace works with the school librarian or reading specialist to determine the appropriate requirement for each school.
Reading Requirements
Being named a Jr. Senator is an honor. Therefore, whether a school requires a certain number of books read or a certain number of minutes reading books, the reading parameters must include four presidential biographies and 2 biographies about Oklahomans. Usually, the challenge is limited to 4th and 5th grades and can be an additional motivational tool to an already established reading program. However, a few schools use it as their sole reading program and include 2nd through 5th grades.
Deadline for Qualifying Students
Names of qualifying students must be submitted to the Senate office by April 1.
Junior Senators
Successful students receive a Citation from the Oklahoma State Senate that verifies they are Junior Senators. In addition, they receive a ‘dog tag’ that can be displayed on their back pack. Usually these are awarded at the end of the year awards assembly.
Program Assistance
Understanding that school districts are struggling financially under the current fiscal crisis, this fall Sen. Standridge personally offered to give each school a $200 grant to purchase books that would help fulfill the reading requirements. Jr. Senator t shirts are also provided to the teachers to help inspire and promote the challenge. In addition, he makes himself available to attend Reading Assemblies, Kick-off assemblies and Awards Assemblies.
For more information, contact Susan Wallace: 405.521.5535 or wallaces@oksenate.gov.
If you are interested in participating in our Junior Senator Reading program or would like further information, please contact our office by email at standridge@oksenate.gov or call 405.521.5653.
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