Every year, teachers and parents alike worry about the “summer slide” – learning loss that can occur when academic material isn’t reinforced by regular use. However, it isn’t inevitable. Resources are available in schools and communities, including free programs that help close the opportunity gap between students of greater wealth and those with less disposable income. Additionally, some students receiving special education may qualify for Extended School Year.

Extended

School Year

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires that public schools provide a free and appropriate public education to all students, which includes an Individualized Education Program for any student with a disability. In some cases, a student’s IEP team may determine that Extended School Year is necessary.

ESY is different from summer school. Services, which are individually tailored to the student who receives them, may include academic instruction, behavioral support, speech therapy and other services.

IEP teams use a variety of metrics to assess students’ needs. One reason ESY might be deemed appropriate is if the rate of skill regression after an extended break (like winter break) was significant, and the student did not recoup those skills at a sufficient rate after returning to school. A student may receive ESY if added instruction during summer vacation is the only way for the student to avoid serious setbacks.

School district summer programs

School districts offer a variety of summer programs, from no-cost to low-cost, in areas from reading and math to science and technology to art and music and even fitness. Some districts share their plans below.

Bethlehem Area SD Supervisor of Related Arts and Social Studies Joseph Anthes notes that in addition to summer break interrupting classroom instruction, it also means a break in regular physical activity and group sports for some students. The district has developed a few programs under the umbrella of Fit for Life. “Fit for Life provides free opportunities for students to remain active, supports physical health, and helps to provide access to intramural sports programs,” Anthes explains.

One Fit for Life program is a free half-day intramural sports camp for students entering fifth and sixth grades. The program includes breakfast, lunch and transportation to and from each student’s home elementary school to the site locations of Broughal and Northeast middle schools. The campers also visit City of Bethlehem pools, Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center and the St. Luke’s University Health Network SportsPlex.

With an eye toward preventing learning loss among students who may not have access to the same financial resources as their peers, BASD offers free summer programs and low-cost childcare. “Summer programming plays an important role in helping students maintain academic progress, build confidence and stay connected to their school community,” says Supervisor of Equity Initiatives Eric Fontanez. “These opportunities help prevent learning loss, provide structure and allow students to engage in meaningful, hands-on experiences that support both academic and social-emotional growth.” Fontanez anticipates that six of the district’s Title I schools will provide federally funded half-day programs “focused on strengthening literacy and math skills while also incorporating enrichment activities.”

BASD’s full-day, low-cost childcare program also provides a learning environment outside the home. “The program features themed weeks where students engage in hands-on learning, creative exploration, and field experiences within the community,” Fontanez explains. An additional summer program is aimed at elementary students in the district’s ESL (English as a second language) program.

Parkland SD offers short academic camps with costs ranging from $50 to $75 per week. Parkland STEAMM Academy, subsidized by the Parkland Education Foundation, offers science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics and medicine instruction to middle-schoolers for a week in mid-June, with a cost to families of $50 per weeklong, half-day session. The district also offers pre-algebra and algebra 1 programs that run for eight days each, as well as a five-day “boot camp” for students entering middle school.

Among the programs planned at Salisbury Township SD is a STEAM camp for elementary students funded with Earned Income Tax Credit funds from Vinart and run in partnership with the Salisbury Education Foundation. Supt. Lynn Fuini-Hetten is enthusiastic about what students can gain from the program, noting that “When curiosity is sparked and creativity is given room to grow, students begin to see the world not just as it is, but as it could be. Our STEAM Camp is a wonderful opportunity for young learners to explore, imagine, and discover the endless possibilities ahead of them.”

Online resources

School districts are also helping students continue to engage intellectually with academic material by putting grade-specific material online. For example, Catasauqua SD maintains student access to its online learning programs over the summer. “These resources are tailored to support skill development in subjects such as reading, math, science, and more, ensuring students are prepared for the upcoming school year,” the district website states. These online programs use the Clever platform, which allows schools to customize educational materials that students can use online with their school-issued username and designated password.

Students across the Lehigh Valley with online subscriptions to Suntex’s First In Math (purchased through school or by parents) have access to these online gamified skill drills for 12 months. Boxes of 24 Game cards, the precursor to the online game, are an easy way to keep skills sharp when paid subscriptions lapse. First In Math inventor Robert Sun moved to Southeastern Pa. from China when he was 9 years old, and although he struggled with English at the time, the fact that his classmates looked to him for math assistance led him to recognize how powerful math skills are. “The power of math transcends cultures,” Sun says. “I believe it is imperative that we teach our youth skills that are universal.”

Community

resources at a range of prices

Bethlehem Area SD’s Anthes notes that the Lehigh Valley has many resources available to those who want to take advantage of them. “So many opportunities are available this summer,” he says, “through our free summer programs in BASD, the parks and recreation system and programs, the city’s pools, public libraries, outdoor sports facilities and trails and festivals. Being active, exploring and reading about topics that relate to your passion are a great start. It’s also important to engage socially with friends and families. While summer is a time to relax, get out and have experiences with people!”

Many local education providers are hosting summer programs at a range of price points, including DaVinci Science Center, Lehigh University, Northampton Community College (Horizons for Youth, at the Bethlehem and Pocono campuses) and Valley Youth House (Camp Fowler).

Northampton Community College also helps high school students stay on track with flexible summer classes offered online, in person and in a hybrid setup. With five different start dates for four-, six-, and nine-week programs, the summer sessions include pre-algebra, elementary algebra, pre-calculus, elementary Spanish, and multiple ESL courses.

Libraries in the Valley plan to provide many no-cost opportunities for summer fun. Bethlehem Area Public Library is one of many libraries building summer reading programs and other events around the Collaborative Summer Library Program theme “Unearth a Story.” Programs include a visit from Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland and an African drum circle event by Philadelphia-based group Play Patrol.

BAPL Head of Outreach Regina Kochmaruk says that she doesn’t design library programming as a way to replace replacing education, aiming instead for “programs which are both engaging and informative in some way.”

“Coming to the library in itself is an educational experience,”she exaplins. ‘Kids have to practice knowing themselves and what topics they might like to discover; they have to scan shelves, titles, text and photos to discern if it’s what they’re looking for. They’re exposed to a variety of genres, subjects, resources, programs and social opportunities for interacting with peers and library staff.”

Families looking for a little inspiration to create their own educational moments over the summer might find inspiration in a group called Remake Learning. Parents can download resources from remakelearning.org/resources to create learning opportunities at home and on the road, wherever the summer takes them.