The Shops at Norterra Kicks Off Their Annual Summer Reading Program Summer Reading Rewards will run from May 25 to August 6

The Shops at Norterra are helping Valley school children avoid the “summer slide” and keep up their reading skills during summer break. The program started May 25 and will run through August 6. Kids ages 6 to 12 are encouraged to read every day and track the number of minutes they read to earn prizes from participating stores and restaurants.

Studies show that when students don’t read over the summer months, they lose core reading skills and fall behind when they return to school – an occurrence known as the “summer slide.” In fact, a study by Oxford Learning found that children can lose up to two months of reading performance during the summer, which if continued throughout the elementary school years, can result in those students being two and a half years behind by the time they reach middle school.

The Shops at Norterra’s Summer Reading Rewards program encourages kids to read all summer long by providing an opportunity to turn the minutes they read into prizes. Kids simply download the reading log, track the number of minutes they read independently each day, then redeem their reading logs at Nathalie & Co. Dancewear and Little Things for prizes from participating shops and restaurants. Four Rewarding Rewards levels are offered, and the number of minutes of reading needed to reach each level depends on the child’s grade level.

Reward Level 1: Kids Smoothie from Jamba Juice

Grades 1-2: 125 total minutes

Grades 3-4: 250 total minutes

Grades 5-6: 375 total minutes

Reward Level 2: Free “Little Thing” from Nathalie & Co. Dancewear and Little Things (prize may be a bookmark, keychain, toy, etc.)

Grades 1-2: 250 total minutes

Grades 3-4: 500 total minutes

Grades 5-6: 750 total minutes

Reward Level 3: Free treat (up to $5) from Rocky Mountain Chocolate or Yogurtini

Grades 1-2: 375 total minutes

Grades 3-4: 750 total minutes

Grades 5-6: 1,125 total minutes

Reward Level 4: Free kids meal at Texas Roadhouse (purchase of an adult entrée required)

Grades 1-2: 500 total minutes

Grades 3-4: 1,000 total minutes

Grades 5-6: 1,500 total minutes

Program details and reading logs are available at Nathalie & Co Dancewear and Little Things, or on the shopping center’s website at NorterraShopping.com