The Manchester School District, in collaboration with organizations,
businesses, and supporters of education across the city, will highlight the
importance of summer learning opportunities on July 12, the day designated as
National Summer Learning Day.
Led by the National
Summer Learning Association (NSLA), National Summer Learning
Day is an advocacy day aimed at elevating the importance of keeping all kids
learning, safe and healthy during the summer. On this day each year, the
country unites in advocacy efforts and celebrations hosted by hundreds of
partner organizations from libraries to parks and recreation centers and civic
and non-profit groups to promote awareness of the importance of keeping kids
healthy and engaged during the summer.
“Summer Learning Day is a reminder that summers count for success in the
school year ahead, and our community should work together to ensure students
get the opportunities and services necessary to continue growing and thriving
over summer vacation,” said Dr. Bolgen Vargas, Superintendent of Schools. “We
are dedicated to supporting student achievement throughout the summer, and our
celebration today marks our commitment to that goal.”
Manchester’s Summer Learning Day efforts are closely linked to the
school district’s “Booked for Summer” literacy initiative, now in its second
year. The summer-long calendar of events to engage children of all ages in
learning outside the classroom includes story hours, interactive activities,
and other programs. The
Manchester City Library, Manchester Parks and Recreation, Boys & Girls Club
of Manchester, Granite YMCA, New Hampshire Institute of Art, the Millyard
Museum, SEE Science Center, Amoskeag Fishways, Massabesic Audubon, the Currier
Museum of Art, The Bookery, and Barnes & Noble Booksellers are among the
many community partners promoting and participating in the Booked for Summer
program.
In special recognition of National Summer Learning Day, Booked for
Summer supporters have committed to hosting additional events on July 12, such
as a read aloud sponsored by the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Popular mascot
Fungo is scheduled to read to children at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.
The new Manchester Bookmobile, which visits six city locations on
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, will add special stops on July 12, a Thursday,
for National Summer Learning Day.
Research shows
that summers put our nation’s youth at risk for falling behind in core subjects
like math and reading. The math and reading skills low-income students, in
particular, lose each summer are cumulative and contribute significantly to the
achievement gap seen in many communities as large and diverse as Manchester. A
survey conducted by NSLA indicated that two-thirds of teachers said they spend
at least a month re-teaching students old material when they return from summer
vacation.
The Manchester School District also recognizes that proper nutrition is just
as important as academic opportunities are to children’s growth and well-being.
The district’s school food services department provides meals to summer school
programs, school-based day camps run by the YMCA and 21st Century
Learning Centers, and the city’s three Fun in the Sun locations. Southern New Hampshire Services also provides
free breakfasts, lunches and dinners to Manchester youth 18 and under at
various public locations.
Many of these learning opportunities require resources. Margarita’s
Mexican Restaurant on Elm Street and Texas Roadhouse on South Willow Street are
hosting fundraisers on National Summer Learning Day: A portion of each dining
bill will be donated to the Booked for Summer program.
Dr. Vargas will join community leaders from around the city to kick-off
Manchester’s Summer Learning Day events that morning at Gossler Park Elementary
School. The full schedule of public activities is available online at
bookedforsummer.mansd.org. All children and families are welcome to attend all
of them throughout the day.
WHO: Manchester
School District and community partners
WHAT: National
Summer Learning Day 2018
WHEN: Thursday,
July 12
9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Gossler
Park Elementary School
Comments
Post a Comment