Engaging summer programs slow “summer slide”
By Mark Hebert
June 28, 2023 - Nearly 10,000 Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) students are engaging in fun activities while learning as part of JCPS’ summer programming. Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio set a goal of increasing student participation in summer programs to help those who struggled with attendance or meeting academic goals during the school year. Mitigating students’ “summer slide” in retaining what they’ve learned is another goal.
“We owe it to our students to give them every opportunity to participate in engaging learning opportunities throughout the year,” Pollio said. “The research is clear that any time students can spend with teachers, whether during the school year or summer months, will result in improved academic outcomes for those students.”
Summer Backpack League is the largest of JCPS’ summer programs with more than 8,000 students enrolled at 18 schools and 57 community sites. Children are participating in a variety of activities and classes, including a popular ThinkLaw curriculum for gifted learners. Students will receive free lunches and transportation is provided for those who need it. Evolve502, a community organization focused on providing education opportunities for kids, is partnering with JCPS on the Backpack League program.
“Summer can be a critical time for students to stay engaged in learning and to limit learning loss,” said Marland Cole, Evolve502 Executive Director. “We’re honored to again be part of the Summer Backpack League with JCPS. We’ve collaborated with community learning partners throughout the city that are serving as host sites and added academic, enrichment and mental health supports to ensure that more students, regardless of their zip code, experience the benefits of summer engagement. We’re looking forward to another summer of learning and fun for all of the students.”
Other JCPS summer learning opportunities focus on diversity, equity and poverty (DEP), exceptional child education (ECE), English language learners (ELL), and early childhood. Nearly all camps will incorporate social-emotional development, which is critical as students continue to cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other summer programming being sponsored by JCPS includes:
Literacy & (Lit &): Theme-based programs for 3rd-5th graders that link books and connect standards-based literacy instruction to fun, hands-on programs like fencing, dance or swimming. 350 students are participating at seven schools.
Grandmaster’s Camp: Program designed for young men to learn principles and tactics on managing and maneuvering through life, featuring critical conversations about race, society, feelings and the future.
Becoming Camp: Teen girls will learn the importance of healthy relationships, the value of mental and physical health, and planning toward postsecondary goals. The goal is to increase the sense of belonging for JCPS girls of color at the high school level through meaningful connections, experiences, and exposure.
Access and Opportunity Camp: The program provides extended learning opportunities for highly motivated students including homeless and foster care students.
Camp Vision: Themed Around the World, Camp Vision will provide students with visual impairments interactive activities and experiences to strengthen their use of assistive technology, independent living, self-determination, and social interaction.
Highly Structured Camp: Students with disabilities who attend Binet and Churchill Park will participate in fun, engaging activities to support their academic, daily living, social, recreation, and self-determination needs with the theme of Under the Sea.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Camp: Students who are deaf/hard of hearing can attend a fun filled outer space themed camp. This camp will provide activities and experiences to strengthen their use and understanding of audiology, self-determination and advocacy, social/ emotional learning as well as technology and communication.
Medically Fragile Camp: In partnership with Kidz Club and Home of the Innocents (HOTI), JCPS is providing an interactive curriculum for medically fragile students that blends academics with daily living, social communication and enrichment activities.
ELL Camp: Newcomer Academy is hosting a camp that will focus on acceleration in English language development tied to fun activities like sports, gardening, and arts and crafts.
Camp Ready4K: The Early Childhood Division’s Camp Ready4K will feature a superhero-themed curriculum to help 1,200 rising kindergarten students prepare for their first year of school.
The Backpack League and Lit & programs run from June 21 until July 14.
Vanessa McPhail, Diversity, Equity and Poverty community affairs specialist, said programs like Lit & ensure engaging summer programming is accessible to all students.
“They’re learning while having fun being exposed to things such as fencing, karate, coding, robotics, and photography, all while working on their literacy and numeracy skills,” McPhail said.
More than 1000 JCPS staff are working at the camps and programming sites this summer.