Special Library Programs
Summer Reading Program
Students entering first through eighth grades are invited to participate in a voluntary summer reading program that is sponsored by the school library in conjunction with the reading/literature teachers.
Grade level requirements:
- Students entering first through third grades should read at least fifteen books. These books may be read aloud to the child and can be easy-to-read picture books.
- Students entering fourth through eighth grades should read a minimum of five books or more.
- Books read to the child by an adult and or any other summer reading program should also be listed on the reading log.
Accelerated Reader Enterprise
Aquinas Academy is excited to offer students first through eighth grades a Web based motivational reading program called Accelerated Reader. This program is designed to encourage reading at all grade and ability levels.
Here's how it works:
- The reading teachers will assign a class a specific number of books to read or a specific number of points to attain for each grading period.
- The students will be required to read the AR books and take a computer-generated quiz. If the book is not available in our school's library, please visit your local public library, bookseller or ask a friend.
- Quizzes may only be taken in the school's library or computer labs.
- A summary of student scores are reviewed by each reading teacher at the end of every grading period.
> Learn more details regarding the AR program.
> View the Aquinas Academy AR brochure.
PA Young Reader’s Choice Awards
The Aquinas Academy Library actively participates in the PA Young Reader’s Choice Awards sponsored by the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association each academic year. The purpose of this program is to “promote reading of quality books by young people in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to promote teacher and librarian involvement in children’s literature, and to honor authors whose work has been recognized by the children of Pennsylvania.”
> View a list of the upcoming titles and current winners.
Scholastic Book Fairs
The Aquinas Academy Library hosts annual book fairs each academic year. Proceeds benefit the school library collection fund. View the calendar for upcoming dates.
WIRC
The Westmoreland Interscholastic Reading Competition began in 2001 and is co-sponsored by the Greensburg Salem School District and the Westmoreland County Association of School Librarians. Teams of middle school students across Westmoreland County are invited to participate at Seton Hill University in Greensburg.
> View the current reading list and dates for upcoming events.