Marcy, NY – Today, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D–119) officially kicked off the 2026 New York State Assembly Summer Reading Challenge at a school-wide assembly at Marcy Elementary School in the Whitesboro Central School District, distributing this year’s summer reading guides and encouraging young readers to embark on summer literary adventures that spark curiosity, creativity, and imagination throughout the school break.

The annual event signals the start of a beloved statewide tradition that invites children to set aside at least 15 minutes each day for reading across 40 days in July and August. Students who meet the challenge will earn a New York State Assembly Excellence in Reading Certificate in recognition of their dedication to literacy.

“Reading opens doors that nothing else can. This challenge is about building confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. This year’s theme, ‘Unearth a Story’, highlights the wonders of dinosaurs, paleontology, and archaeology, while encouraging kids to learn about their own community and uncover history themselves, and I am proud to support every student who takes it on,” said Assemblywoman Buttenschon.

To support the program, Assemblywoman Buttenschon’s office has distributed thousands of brochures, bookmarks, and posters to schools and local libraries throughout the Mohawk Valley. Each brochure provides students a daily reading calendar to log their progress, a pledge card to formalize their commitment, and directions for returning their completed materials to the Assemblywoman’s office before summer’s end. Students who submit their calendars will receive a personalized certificate mailed directly from the Assemblywoman.

Participating Schools

Students in grades K–6 across the following schools and districts are encouraged to participate in the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge:

• Rome City School District
• Utica City School District
• Whitesboro Central School District
• New York Mills Union Free School District
• Oriskany Central School District
• Utica Academy of Science
• Notre Dame Schools
• Westmoreland Central School District
• New York State School for the Deaf
• Tilton School (House of Good Shepherd)
• Holland Patent Central School District

How to Participate

1. Read 15 minutes a day for 40 days during July and August.
2. Track progress using the official calendar provided in the Summer Reading Challenge Brochure.
3. Return the completed calendar to Assemblywoman Buttenschon’s office by August 31, 2026 to receive a certificate.

Mailing Address:

Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon State Office Building, Room 401

207 Genesee Street

Utica, NY 13501

Why It Matters

Research consistently shows that even short daily reading sessions can sharpen student literacy skills and guard against the learning setbacks that often accompany the summer months. The Summer Reading Challenge keeps children intellectually engaged during the school break while fostering language development, a love of storytelling, and stronger connections between families, friends, and learning.

As a former educator and dean, Assemblywoman Buttenschon has spent her career advocating for equitable access to high-quality education, and remains committed to ensuring that every student in the region has both the resources and the encouragement to thrive.

“Curiosity and growth do not stop when the school year does,” said Buttenschon. “By encouraging summer reading among students, even for 15 minutes a day, we can keep young minds moving, dreaming, and discovering, so let’s all come together in motivating our children to pick-up those books and ‘Unearth a Story’ together this summer!”