Programs aim to keep children learning during summer vacation

With school winding down, it's likely the last thing children are thinking about is more learning. But attending a summer camp, going to the library, taking part in the variety of recreational programs in the Cape Girardeau area, and even taking a trip with family can all be a chance to continue gaining knowledge -- and have some fun.

According to the National Summer Learning Association, all youngsters experience learning losses when they don't engage in educational activities during the summer. Research spanning 100 years shows students typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer break than they do on the same test at the start of summer, the organization's website said.

Most students lose about two months of grade-level equivalency in math skills over the summer, the site said. "Low-income students also lose more than two months in reading achievement, despite the fact that their middle-class peers make slight gains," according to the site.

In an email to the Southeast Missourian, Jeff Jernigan, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Girardeau, said not only does summer learning loss widen the achievement gap between students from "lower socioeconomic backgrounds and their more advantaged peers, it also contributes to their chances of dropping out of high school as they fall farther and farther behind each year."

Nancy Jernigan, executive director of the United Way of Southeast Missouri, said low-income children may not be exposed to other developmental activities during the summer the way middle-class youngsters do. That's why agencies such as the Boys and Girls Club are so important, said Jernigan, who is married to Jeff Jernigan.

Organizations, libraries, schools, universities and agencies offer summer camps locally, but fees can be out of reach for some families, Nancy Jernigan said.

"There's a whole population of children that can't participate in those. That's why organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs are so important," she said, adding it gives participants an "equal playing field" with other students.

" ... We need to have a real focus on that population [of lower-income children] to keep them learning and growing. There's all sorts of development you learn through play, all sorts of ways to learn. Reading is a great thing to build into all summer programs," Nancy Jernigan said. She added there are many hands-on activities that also can be used as learning opportunities, so children can continue to "grow and advance over the summer while they have fun."

One example is the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Girardeau's Summer Brain Gain camp. Jeff Jernigan said the program is designed to help prevent as much summer learning loss as possible so students don't lose what they learned in school during the year.

"We want to at least maintain a level of learning that they have during the school year throughout the summer, so that when they go back to school next fall they're not behind," Jeff Jernigan said. Every year, students can fall further behind, which ultimately affects their chances of graduating from high school.

Priority outcomes of the program are having children graduate from high school ready for college, trade school, military or employment; and having children engaged in the community, register to vote and model strong character. Adopting a healthy diet, practicing healthy lifestyle choices and making a lifelong commitment to fitness is another objective, according to information from the club.

High school graduation has been "a big push from the school district," Jeff Jernigan said. It is one of the items that goes into districts' state accountability ratings.

Summer Brain Gain runs June 2 through July 11 and has weekly modules that include learning activities, arts and crafts, field trips and other features that encompass the objectives. The program is for children ages 5 to 15 and designed specifically for Boys and Girls Clubs environments. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Shawnee Park Center in Cape Girardeau.

Cost is $50 a week per child, including field trip fees, breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack, sunscreen and all camp activities. Campers attending at least four weeks will receive a T-shirt. With the first child being $50 a week, the second child in the same family is $25 a week and additional children, $10 a week.

The camp is budgeted for 100 participants, ages kindergarten through eighth grade, Jernigan said, and there is a discount for multiple children from the same family. A sliding scale has been developed based on family income.

" ... We're really trying to reach the children who need us most and a lot of those children are from single-family homes, and low-income, so we don't want to leave those out; we don't want to have to turn children away just because they can't afford the tuition," Jeff Jernigan said.

Summer school also is available in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City and myriad programs are scheduled at the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

Library Youth Services coordinator Sharon Anderson said the theme for children this summer will be STEAM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Groups include Future Scientists for children birth to age 6; Fizz Boom Read for ages 6 to 12 years old; and Spark a Reaction for ages 12 to 18.

At Cape Girardeau public schools, dates for elementary and middle summer school are May 28 through June 10. Summer school at Central Junior High School and the Alternative Education Center will run from May 27 through June 13; and Central High School's classes will be May 28 through June 24.

Courses will cover computer programming, languages, sports -- incorporating math -- and mental and social health and healthy eating to name a few.

Upper-level classes will generally be for credit recovery, but there are some enrichment courses in languages and personal finance or students can pick up a physical education credit.

The summer meal program will be available during summer school free of charge to children 18 and younger. Children do not have to participate in summer school to participate in the summer meal programs.

In Jackson, elementary summer school is from June 4 through 25. Breakfast and lunch are available for students to purchase and snacks are provided.

Incoming kindergarten classes are set for June 9 through 20, with morning and afternoon sessions available. Breakfast is available for kindergarten students to purchase and snacks are provided daily for both sessions.

According to information from the Jackson School District, 540 students are enrolled for elementary summer school.

Jackson Middle School's program is set for June 4 through 25 for incoming sixth and seventh grade students. Currently 187 students are enrolled, district officials said.

Enrollment for R.O. Hawkins Junior High School summer school is 213 students this year. Health, keyboarding and math and language arts will be available. Students must attend 15 of 16 days to receive credit, according to information from the district.

Jackson High School's summer school is focused on credit-bearing classes and 215 students are signed up, according to district information.

Scott City's summer school will run from June 2 through 26, with students attending from 7:40 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639