What's Happening?
New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) recently hosted a summer learning celebration at the Family Academy of Multilingual Exploration (FAME) to showcase the educational progress of students. The summer program, which ran from July 1 to July 24, utilized existing
core subject curriculums from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), iReady, and Smithsonian to reinforce what students learned during the school year. The program aimed to strengthen students' skills over a 17-day period. FAME served as the district's largest summer site, accommodating around 145 K-4 students daily, with numbers rising to 160 when including extended school year (ESY) students. The program featured monolingual and multilingual classrooms, staffed by a lead teacher and a paraprofessional, and included music classes as part of the curriculum.
Why It's Important?
The summer program at NHPS is significant as it addresses the educational gap that can occur during the summer months, often referred to as the 'summer slide.' By using established curriculums from HMH and other educational resources, the program ensures continuity in learning, helping students retain and build upon their knowledge. This initiative is particularly beneficial for working parents who may struggle to maintain a consistent educational structure at home. Additionally, the program's focus on involving parents in the learning process helps reinforce educational values at home, potentially leading to better academic outcomes for students.
What's Next?
NHPS plans to continue similar summer programs in the future, with the potential for expansion based on the success and feedback from this year's initiative. The involvement of parents and the community is likely to play a crucial role in securing funding and support for future programs. As the district evaluates the outcomes of the summer program, adjustments and improvements may be made to enhance its effectiveness and reach.
