Summer matters Big Time, whether it is our own memories or those we wish for our children. What is clear and supported by volumes of research is how important enriching and fun activities are for children in the summer.
The old model of remedial "summer school" is being replaced by the more effective approach of "summer learning," built around student interest as well as student learning needs, and feels like summer camp. When designed this way, by blending academic support with enrichment and fun, kids want to be there, they attend more consistently, and get much more benefit academically, socially and emotionally. After two years of a pandemic, our students deserve nothing less.
There are many models of summer learning for students of all ages. For younger students, there are endless creative options for building reading and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills in the summer through hands-on projects, field trips, clubs, and games. For our older students, we can create service-based learning opportunities that could be attached to credit and even ways for students to earn money over the summer. Summer is a wide-open space of opportunity: Let's try some things we haven't tried. Let's let our educators bring their own interests and hobbies into the classroom. Let's create new partnerships to expand our students' horizons.
As the City School District of New Rochelle builds toward summer 2022, we are asking our students to develop a name or a theme for what we will call our summer learning programs. We are set to launch this summer’s offerings – and all we need is a name. Students in grades 2 - 8 received a link on last week at their schools to complete a survey and to send their name idea submissions. Click here, on "survey" to participate until April 27, 2022 at 5 p.m.