The Hobart Family YMCA will offer a new Summer Learning Loss Prevention program for children in first through fifth grade who are most in need of academic support. The "Summer Learning Loss Prevention" program, a national initiative with the Y, will strive to help students reading below grade level to increase reading skills, be more excited about learning, and improve self-confidence. The program focuses on phonics, writing and reading to boost literacy skills, with enrichment activities to support physical and social emotional growth.
Studies show that children in low-income communities often enter kindergarten behind their middle- and upper-income peers, and fall further behind as they move through grade levels. Additional learning enrichment during the summer can help students who are most at risk of falling behind.
"At the Hobart Family YMCA, we know that the combination of enrichment and extended learning opportunities is essential to increasing children's engagement and success in school. We are excited to expand our partnership with the School City of Hobart to support more kids," said Dale Polomchak, CEO of the Hobart Family YMCA "This program will help ensure children in Hobart receive the additional time and attention they need to fulfill their potential in school."
The program includes elements such as tutoring, 21st Century skills, college and career exploration, service-learning, arts education, leadership development, and global learning to help them achieve. To identify students for the program, the Y will work with the School City of Hobart. The Hobart Family YMCA has been the contracted before and after-school care provider for the School City of Hobart since 1984.
The Y is committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen and is addressing the academic achievement gap through pilot programs on afterschool, early learning readiness and summer learning loss prevention. The programs, which are underway in nearly 40 states across the country, are designed to not only increase success in school, but to also foster social-emotional development and physical health and well-being.
For more information, please contact Sharon Tarry at the Hobart YMCA, (219) 942-2183, ext. 14 or by email at starry@hobartymca.org or visit www.hobartymca.org