READ ENC Community Literacy Coalition, The Oakwood School, and Publix Super Marketsponsored a summit for all area summer learning providers and teachers, Friday, April 12, 9-11am in Monk Hall on the Oakwood School campus. Providing this opportunity aligned with local efforts to decrease summer learning loss further detailed in READ ENC’s Community Solutions Action Plan (https://readenc.org/csap/). In addition to launching this first summer learning summit, READ ENC and The Oakwood School sought input on their work to create a searchable database of summer learning opportunities in the area that will soon be accessible through the READ ENC website. Details were also shared about a signature “Read on the Common” event to be held during this summer’s National Summer Learning Week (July 8-13). All area summer learning providers are invited to bring their students to the Greenville Town Commons for a morning of reading together on Friday, July 12 from 9-11am.
Keynote speaker, Fredi Nielsen, spoke to Summer Learning providers about the impact that summer learning opportunities had on her life. Free materials were provided for attendees, including the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundations Summer Learning Toolkit (downloadable copy available here) and a copy of Barnes & Noble’s Summer Reading Educator Kit.
“Research has continuously confirmed the importance of summer learning opportunities as a predictor of future student success. The Oakwood School shares READ ENC’s commitment to improving early literacy for all children throughout Pitt County and the surrounding area, so we were thrilled when READ ENC asked us to host this event. It was a natural fit considering that Oakwood sponsors the Horizons programon its campus each summer, which is a free program designed to help economically disadvantaged public school students avoid the summer reading slide,” said Dan Quesnel, Head of The Oakwood School.
Oakwood and Publix are two of many community partners contributing to READ ENC’s efforts to improve third grade reading proficiency through community-wide literacy engagement. “Connecting community partners enables us to move the needle on third grade reading in a way that none of us can accomplish alone. We were fortunate to collaborate with these key community literacy supporters for this summit event and look forward to continued work with existing and new partners,” said Terry Atkinson, READ ENC Executive Director. Specific community initiatives are in progress to improve kindergarten readiness, decrease summer reading loss, and improve school attendance. Contact info@readenc.orgfor more information about joining READ ENC’s work.
