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Research shows that during the summer, children who don’t read or have some academic exposure can lose 20% of what they’ve learned. Years ago, I remember feeling jealous when my friends’ children from private schools or wealthier communities would receive their summer reading lists. It bothered me that my children didn’t have summer reading assignments. Although the Pollard Library had reading lists for each grade, there was no coordinated district-wide school effort to promote summer reading. Well, those days are long gone from the Lowell Public Schools. Last week at the school committee meeting, 68 children from kindergarten to eighth grade visited City Hall to be congratulated for their summer reading efforts. The students, three from each school, represented youngsters from across the city who had read and written about more than 15,500 books this summer. The names of all students who submitted a log of their books were entered into a drawing to determine the prize winners from each school. When the superintendent announced that the winners would receive $25 certificates to Barnes & Noble, there was an audible gasp from the youngsters who were not expecting such a generous gift (funded by grant money). As their names were called and the children received a handshake and certificate from the mayor, I felt as if we were our own little United Nations: Some last names of the winners are: McBreen, Daigneault, Thach, Garcia, Sweeney, Lau, Rios, Archila, Donovan, Sanchez, Im, Gaudet, Primeau, Chanthavongsak, Fitzgerald, Eltobgi, and Gonzalez. In addition to a promotion effort that began in June with classroom teachers, many principals (using our new ConnectEd phone system) called homes throughout the summer, reminding parents and children about the importance of reading; the free, air-conditioned book opportunities at the library; and the program. In all, it was a great effort and a win for everyone involved.