Bentonville School District Book Bus hits the road to keep students reading

Bentonville Schools’ Book Bus kicked off its summer tour at Vaughn Elementary, aiming to keep students engaged in reading. Library media specialist Carol Halbmaier, involved since 2019, highlighted the program's community-building benefits. The newly renovated bus features air conditioning, a reading area, and a design resembling a bookshelf, all intended to attract families. Music will play as the bus enters neighborhoods, enhancing its appeal. Halbmaier pointed out the risk of the "summer slide," where students may lose up to a month of reading skills during the break.

The district recommends that students read four to six books each summer to sustain or improve their literacy. This initiative reflects broader educational efforts to mitigate learning loss during school vacations. The program underscores the significance of maintaining reading habits outside the classroom.