And suddenly, here it is. The end of the school year! Students, and even parents, welcome the change in their busy academic schedules and look forward to more free time.
Yet, teachers and parents alike worry about the infamous “summer slide” — the academic loss that often takes place over the summer months when students don’t receive daily instruction. The question of whether students will retain what they’ve learned this past year can be daunting.
Never fear! St. Cloud Area School District 742 always supports its students. To help avoid the summer slide, District 742 has put together some tips on how to keep students engaged and learning all summer long.
- Daily Reading: Though school libraries are closed for the summer, LEAF’s PAKRAT (Parent and Kids Read A Lot Together) Roll N Read bus is out and about! The schedule is posted every year to District 742’s website. The bus makes several neighborhood stops weekly. Students can climb aboard and check out their favorite books! In addition, this year the Community Outpost will have PAKRAT books. Visit their site and read for 20 minutes, and your student will receive an ice cream treat!
- Library Time: Whether it is to read quietly, check out a book or participate in activities, the Great River Regional Library is a great way to engage students in reading. Each location holds family-friendly events catered to all ages. The St. Cloud location is also offering free lunches for any child up to age 18, Monday-Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., provided through the YES Network and the USDA Summer Food Service Program.
- Scrubs Camp: For students who are interested in the medical field or sciences, Scrubs Camp is a great way to learn about a career in the healthcare industry while experiencing hands-on learning. The camp is catered to students 12 to 18 years old. Scholarships are also available.
Scrubs Camp helps avoid the summer slide. - District 742 Community Education Classes: All summer long, community education offers classes for youth and early learners. Classes such as Extreme Chemistry… Mystery Challenges, Eureka Engineering, Intro to Coding With Super Heroes or Mississippi String Music Camp are sure to spark curiosity, creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
- District 742 School Websites: School may be closed for the summer, but the resources students use during the school year are available to use at any time from home! On any school site, visit Student Connect and click on Online Resources. Students can watch instructional videos on Khan Academy or interact with math or reading games. All resources are available by grade level and subject area. The best part is your students already know how to use them!
- District 742 Pinterest Page: District 742’s Pinterest boards offer a multitude of ideas for parents and students of all ages. Activities for math, science, reading, art, music, foreign languages, college prep and so much more are available. Check out all the possibilities!
With the help of St. Cloud Metro Bus, transportation is a breeze! Each year, Metro Bus offers free rides for students with their U-Go Free Summer Youth Program. The program starts June 1 and runs through Aug. 31.
With these tips and resources, students can easily stay engaged all summer long and continue their learning to avoid the academic slide!
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