On June 1, 207 students graduated from Palos South Middle School. We're very proud of their accomplishments, and know they will go on to do great things in high school and beyond. I thank the parents for their support, and for understanding how vital education is to the success of their children. These students are accomplished young men and women because of the hard work and dedication of the teachers, administrators, board members, and support staff of Palos 118 over the past nine years.

The success of our graduates is a result of solid education fundamentals, with reading skills as an essential building block. Just because school has ended for the summer doesn't mean learning has to end too. Please encourage your children to continue reading - at least 20 minutes per day if possible - to keep them on track throughout the summer. Here are some links to reading suggestions:

The Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA) issues book awards annually for different age groups and always offers interesting reading selections. The  Rebecca Caudill award winning books are popular with middle-schoolers and adults. For recently graduated eighth graders or high-school age kids, the Abraham Lincoln Award: Illinois' High School Readers' Choice Award has many age-appropriate suggestions.  For K-3 elementary students, check out the  Monarch Award master list, and for kids in grades 3-5, the Blue Stem Readers' Choice list has many selections. Most of these books are available at your local library, or available to download on electronic reading devices.

If you want to provide enrichment for your child in other subject areas, there are many interactive sites such as hoodamath.com, 

aaamath.com, and arcademics.com.  All of these free sites offer skill-building math exercises in game formats for grades k-8. Kids will probably have so much fun playing online, they won't realize they're growing their minds. 

Whether near or far - wherever your travels take your family this summer - have a fun and safe vacation.

Warmest regards,

Dr. Anthony M. Scarsella, 

Superintendent of Schools