City offers variety of summer learning programs
CITYWIDE Summer break from school does-n’t necessarily mean that students should take a break from mental stimulation.
As the academic year wraps up for many schools in Santa Monica and students begin dreaming of lazy mornings in bed and afternoons in front of the television, educational experts are stressing the importance of keeping kids active during the summer.
California Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell earlier this week released a top 10 list of suggestions to help keep parents and their children busy during the summer, including playing puzzles, collecting stamps and starting a journal.
O’Connell points to research showing that the learning gap between middle and low-income students widens during the summer, many kids beginning the school year further behind.
“These summer learning tips are part of my continuing effort to narrow the achievement gap,” the state superintendent said. “Every little thing we can do to reverse this trend is vital to ultimately preparing children for success in the high-tech global economy.”
Experts say that mental and physical activities during the summer can help academic retention, enabling students to remain on top of their game once the school year commences.
The Evaluation and Training Institute published a study evaluating Los Angeles area public library summer reading programs, finding that students who participated were more likely to read at or above grade level than their non-participating peers.
“Moreover students reading above grade level in second grade were more likely to retain this level in third grade, in comparison to students who did not participate in the program,” the 2001 study states.
Such a program has been successful in the Santa Monica Public Library the past several years where nearly 2,000 youths, ranging from toddlers through high school, participated last year.
The Summer Reading Program provides incentives for youths to pick up a book, awarding prizes to those who complete a certain number of hours reading.
“Some parents tell us the teachers recommended that they keep their children reading over the summer, but especially the ones struggling because they don’t want to lose ground,” Ann Wagner, the youth services librarian said.
The library provides a list of acceptable books, awarding everything from a foam bug stamp to an invitation to a year-end party as prizes.
“We’re always encouraging children to read and what we tried to do here is make it fun and develop life-long readers,” Wagner said. “That is what’s important.”
The Santa Monica-Malibu Parent Teacher Association every year partners with the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation to provide the Summer Adventure enrichment program, available for students in elementary and middle schools.
The more than two-decade-old program offers activities including recreational and academic classes for four weeks every summer. The academic classes are less intensive in nature, focusing on topics such as the history of rock ‘n’ roll.
“It’s really important for kids to stay engaged and connected with other kids in the summer,” Rebecca Kennerly, the president of the SMMPTA said.“It’s the only time children can really follow their own paths.”
Activities are especially important to children in their formative years, particularly when in elementary school, according to Candace Poindexter, the director of literacy programs at Loyola Marymount University.
“There is so much information that if they don’t keep up and practice, somehow they are going to forget by the next year or three months later,” Poindexter, a former second grade teacher, said.“New teachers spend sometimes two to three weeks reminding them what they should’ve remembered.”
Poindexter said the key is to make sure kids at this age practice, sounding out vowels and studying root words, all of which can be made fun by parents reading with their children.
There are things that parents can do to encourage reading without making it seem like a chore, organizing library trip days and enrolling children in youth book clubs.
“If nothing else read to your child,”
Poindexter said. “Keep them interested in books, whether it’s R.L. Stine or Sponge Bob Square Pants books.”
For some kids, there’s always summer school.
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is expecting around 1,000 high school students to take summer intensive programs which include credit recovery. Another 100 is expected to participate in the district’s dual enrollment program with Santa Monica College.
Approximately 200 students are expected to take summer school at the middle schools while the elementary schools will host more than 400, according to Sally Chou, the chief academic officer.
Some parents say they plan to use summer to allow their kids to recuperate from the pressures of the academic year, sleeping in a little bit later, but still keeping busy through lighter activities.
Lisa Balfus, who has a daughter at Edison Language Academy and a son entering Santa Monica High School, said she usually tries to strike a balance between activity and down-time, the latter of which is seldom experienced by her children during the school year.
Her son will enroll in the junior lifeguard program at Santa Monica Beach and her daughter will participate in the reading program at the Fairview Branch Library.
“If they do a lot of physical activity during the summer, it is stress reducing and head clearing,” Balfus said. “Having them able to be out in fresh air, running and playing tag and tennis is restorative, physically, mentally and emotionally.”
It’s a philosophy shared by other parents. Judith Meister, whose daughter is plan-ning to attend ballet camp, said summer is the perfect time for student to have a break and explore other activities.
But while students should take a break from the classroom, it doesn’t mean they should take a vacation from learning, Meister said.
“It’s important for kids to keep their minds active and keep their bodies active and find ways to actually enrich their experience,” she said. “They should experience things they don’t have time to do during the school year, whether it’s seeing a play or hiking or taking a walk.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 20, 2008. Read the original PDF.