Programs attempt to end the ‘summer slide’

Does summer mean learning stops? Learning doesn’t stop for students in the Valley View Local Schools. There are many opportunities for students in grades K-12 to continue various learning experiences throughout the summer months.

Have you heard of the “summer slide”? This is the tendency for students to lose some of the achievement gains made during the school year. Academic delay that occurs over the summer is one of the greatest problems confronting teachers each fall.

An early comprehensive review of the literature focused on one major finding regarding summer loss. The authors concluded that on average, students’ achievement scores declined over summer vacation by one month’s worth of school-year learning.

Teachers and administrators at Valley View Local Schools are committed to diminish the summer slide for students and strive for a “summer rise” in achievement gains.

It begins with our incoming kindergartners. During kindergarten screening, (which occurred in the spring) parents were given tools and tips for working with their children over the summer to ensure kindergarten readiness. The Germantown Public Library and the Valley View Primary School work together to encourage students to participate in the summer reading program offered at the local library. Any student completing the summer reading program gets an opportunity to earn prizes at the start of the school year. These students are specially recognized for their summer reading.

Our students at the intermediate level (grades 4-6) had an opportunity to participate in Camp Invention this summer. Camp Invention is a fun, innovation and creativity based program. During the program, children built dream homes, designed transportation of the future, became a robotic pet vet, and persevered through the invention process.

Our 6th grade teachers work closely with the counselor and teachers at Valley View Junior High to ensure a smooth transition for students entering junior high. Students learn about the courses and extracurricular opportunities that are offered. An open house is also scheduled to allow students an opportunity to pick up their schedules, meet teachers and tour the building. Summer reading projects are part of the summer learning for students taking advanced coursework.

This year our freshman orientation was held in May to allow the transition between junior high and high school to begin a little earlier. This allows students to become familiar with the layout and structure of high school prior to August as many students participate in activities throughout the summer months. Summer assignments and projects continue to be a requirement for students taking certain advanced and honors courses at the high school. Along with the academic summer opportunities, high school students participate in a variety of camps.

Valley View Local Schools also encourages students to participate in summer learning opportunities offered outside of the district. There are many students participating in book clubs, STEM camps, Air Camps, enrichment clubs, etc.

Each year, it is our goal to continue to expand summer learning experiences for our students in the district. We strive to offer intervention and enrichment opportunities that are specific to the interest and needs of our students. We aspire to develop happenings for our students that result in a continuous rise in achievement gains throughout the summer.