Available for Area Residents
Springfield, Massachusetts–The Reading Success by 4th Grade initiative’s Summer Learning Workgroup, in collaboration with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, has developed a 2016 Summer Learning Programs Guide that provides a listing of a variety of summer programs serving children and teens in the Springfield area throughout the summer months.
The Summer Learning Programs Guide can be accessed on Reading Success by 4th Grade’s website, http://www.readby4thgrade.com/blog/news/summer-program-guide-2016/. Hard copies of the Summer Learning Programs Guide will also be available at all Springfield City Library locations, the Springfield Public Schools Parent and Community Engagement Center (91 School Street, Springfield), the Springfield Public Schools Central Office (1550 Main Street) and at the New England Farm Workers Council (1628 Main Street).
The programs included in the summer guide offer many options for children and teens of all ages and interests, including swimming; arts and crafts; sports; reading and healthy activities; and music and dance. There are also academic programs to keep middle and high school youth on track for graduation.
The guide lists each program’s location, hours and registration information. Some programs are free or very low cost; some accept vouchers; some have transportation available; some have optional extended hours; and most provide lunch and a snack.
Keeping children engaged during the school break helps to avoid summer learning loss that often puts students behind academically when they return to school in the fall. Studies show that without access to enriching summer activities, children lose as much as three months of reading comprehension skills over the summer.
Read! Reading Success by 4th Grade is a broad coalition of leaders in education, child development, business, philanthropy and government working towards the goal of all of Springfield’s children reading proficiently by the end of third grade. Currently, only 40% of Springfield’s children read at grade level by the end of third grade.
