Summer Learning Week
Alaska summers are packed with opportunities for adventure, wonder, and learning. Summer programs have the unique task of engaging Alaska’s youth during a critical time. To highlight the importance of summer learning, programs can engage their youth, communities, and local policy makers in National Summer Learning Week.
National Summer Learning Week, July 15-19 2024, is a time to advocate for funding and awareness for summer learning.
Why summer matters:
Summers without quality learning opportunities put Alaska’s youth at risk for falling behind – year after year – in core subjects like math and reading. Students can lose up to two months’ worth of learning from the previous school year when their minds aren’t engaged during the summer vacation. Low-income students are especially vulnerable to summer learning loss due to lack of engagement in high-quality summer learning programs. The math and reading skills low-income students lose each summer are cumulative and contribute significantly to the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income kids. Learn more At a Glance about Why Summers Matter.
In Alaska, 31% of families say at least one child attended a summer program in 2019. However, the demand for summer programs exceeds the current rate of participation, with 50% of Alaska families reporting that they would like their children to participate. Get more information about Summer Learning Programs in Alaska from the America After 3pm Survey.
Engage kids at home:
Social Media Shareables
Summer learning prevents learning loss, decreases the "summer slide" that can occur between students of different life circumstances, and promotes fun and engagement! To help elevate the power of Summer Learning Week, we're sharing graphics and text for you to post on your social media! Help share the message of summer learning by using some of our tools.
We've created 5 sample social media posts for you and also crafted several messages that link to cool activities. Explore what we've made here.
Also, if you're interested in accessing these posts directly on Canva so you can change them to be branded by your organization, email us here.
#AKSummerLearning
To create great awareness of the importance of summer learning, the Alaska Afterschool Network has launched the #AKSummerLearning social media campaign on Instagram and Facebook. #AKSummerLearning encourages Alaska programs and families to keep their children active and learning during summer vacation to prevent summer learning loss. Posts and tweets will provide programs and families with a summer worth of tips, ideas, and activities to keep kids learning.
How to celebrate Summer Learning Week:
Add your program to Discover Summer
Post about National Summer Learning Week on social media.
Hang a poster at your program.
Complete this Super Summer Program Checklist with your program.
The U.S. Capitol Christmas tree is coming from the Tongass National Forest in Alaska this year! Alaska is being called on to make decorations for the U.S. Capitol!
Engage the community in Summer Learning Week:
Host a summer learning celebration in the community.
Engage local policymakers on a tour of your program.
Host a family night with fun activities and information on community resources.
Start a local media campaign to raise awareness of Summer Learning Week.
