Can my son or daughter participate outside of their classroom?
Unfortunately, No. Letter P.A.L.S. 2006-07 school-to-home reading program, featuring the Pet Shop Pen Pals, is a Kindergarten to 3rd grade teacher/classroom orchestrated program only. If your son or daughter is in K-3rd grade, you can notify their teacher with our Teacher Notification Letter. (Also found in the Parent section on the red navigation bar.) They can register your child's classroom, and then you can sign up to participate under their classroom identification number.

Can my child and I read the weekly letter over and over?
Yes! Immediately after a letter is read for the first time, it is sent to a personalized archive file box that is found in each parent's login section. You may access and read the letters as many times as you like. However, the Readers are Winners button, found on the Parents Paws for Reading page, will only inform your child's teacher when he/she has read the letter for the first time.

What is the reading level of the Pet Shop Pen Pals letters?
Every letter has been professionally evaluated for both content and reading level by reading specialists. The letters will range from 1.3 grade/reading level to 3.0 grade/reading level. Because every child reads differently, even children in the same grade, the Pet Shop Pen Pals letters are intended to be read to, with, or by your child. An easy way for you to determine how you should read the letters together with your child can be found in the Reading Together section on the red navigation bar.

Are there going to be any more Pet Shop Pen Pals letters made available or other Letter P.A.L.S. programs?
Yes! Letter P.A.L.S. K-3 family reading program, featuring the Pet Shop Pen Pals, is an annual program consisting of 8 letters and will continue as long as there is interest from teachers, students, and parents. In 2007, there will be a summer reading version of the Pet Shop Pen Pals that will also consist of 8 letters. Programs for 3rd - 6th grades are also in the works and will be made available shortly.

What if I have more questions about the program?
We are very interested in serving the public and motivating all children to become the strongest readers possible. If you have any additional questions, please contact us by mail, e-mail, or phone. Contact information can be found in the Contact section on the red navigation bar. The more feedback we get, the better we can accomplish our mission.