(CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – During their summer break, young students can get a boost in reading at Day of Action, sponsored by United Way of Madison County and the county’s three school districts.

Horizon Elementary School is one site for the reading activity that United Way describes as a “fun, interactive summer carnival with games, music, inflatable bouncers, snacks and books.”

Day of Action on June 11 will run from 4 to 7 p.m. on the Horizon campus for Madison City Schools and simultaneously at Hazel Green Elementary School for Madison County Schools and Morris Elementary School for Huntsville City Schools.

Kicking off a summer reading initiative, Day of Action hopefully will spur children to keep active with books throughout their time away from the classroom. Then in August, students will return to school eager about learning and engaged and excited about reading.

Children will receive free books, announcements about summer reading contests and various community programs.

PTA spokesperson Sonja Griffith encourages parents to volunteer and hopes other Madison PTA members will represent their school at Day of Action. “We’ll need volunteers to man the blow-up slides and moon bounces” and help with other attractions, Griffith said. For volunteer information, email to Horizon PTA President Chris Cornelius at hrzn.pta@gmail.com.

“United Way is supplying all summer reading books for the entire Madison County at Day of Action,” Griffith said.

Ranae Bartlett with the Madison Board of Education hopes Madison families will attend. “As a school board member and parent of an elementary student, I want to encourage all Madison City families and students to come out to Horizon elementary on June 11. (You can get) a jump start on kids’ summer reading with the many fun activities planned and pick up some free books.”

Bartlett will volunteer that day and anticipates seeing many students at Horizon.

In addition, the Alabama Department of Education’s website (alsde.edu) offers links to strategies to combat learning loss for children during summer.

For more information, visit madisoncity.k12.al.us and click “District Blog.”