BACK TO SCHOOL
Lazy summer days are
great for lounging around
the pool. Though such afternoons
are synonymous with
summer, failure to fl ex cognitive
muscles along with physical
ones may lead to struggles
when children return to
classrooms.
Summer learning loss,
also dubbed “summer slide,”
is a term used in reference
to the loss of academic skills
and knowledge during summer
vacations. However, in
addition to the potential for
lost skills from being away
from school during summer
breaks, students also may be
affected by defi cits that developed
due to virtual learning.
This summer may be one best
spent catching up on studies.
Researchers have been
looking at summer slide since
at least 1996, when one of the
fi rst comprehensive studies
on the phenomenon was
published. That study indicated
children lose signifi -
cant knowledge in reading
and math over summer break.
More recently, a 2020 NWEA¨
MAP Growth assessment
found children in third to fi fth
grades lose, on average, 20 percent
of their school-year gains
in reading and 27 percent in
math during summer break.
NWEA is a research-based,
not-for-profi t organization
that creates assessment solutions
that premeasure growth
and profi ciency.
While summer learning
loss has been widely recognized
for years, a new issue
has developed due to the
global pandemic. A shift to
hybrid or all virtual learning
for signifi cant portions of the
last two school years could
have long-term consequences
for students. A recent study
from the Fairfax County Public
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, A 30 UG. 27-SEPT. 2, 2021 BTR
Schools Offi ce of Research
and Strategic Improvement
in Virginia found that middle
and high school students have
had less academic success as a
result of online learning. The
percentage of students with
two or more failing marks increased
by 83% in the fi rst
quarter of the 2020-21 school
year. Certain demographics of
students struggled even more,
including students with disabilities,
Hispanic students
and English learner students,
according to the report. When
separating middle school students
from high school students,
the former had higher
incidences of two or more failing
grades, a 300% increase
versus 50 percent increase
among high school students.
There are physical consequences
to consider as well.
A recent study from the Centers
for Disease Control and
Prevention that included 1,290
parents whose children were
engaged in online instruction
found that students receiving
virtual instruction were
more likely than those who received
in-person instruction
to report decreased physical
activity, fewer opportunities
to socialize with friends and
worsened mental or emotional
health overall.
Parents who are concerned
about their children’s educational
opportunities over the
last year-plus may want to
emphasize more smart play
this summer. Encourage children
to read more, even if it’s
books of their own choosing,
which they are more likely to
complete than books selected
for them. Families also may
want to work with tutors to
bring their children back up
to level in math and reading
profi ciency so students are
ready for the new school year
when it begins in August and
September.
When people want to give
back, many look to support
national charities and other
causes that they hold near
and dear Certainly these are
worthwhile causes. However,
giving back on a local level is
a great way to help the people
you see every day.
Schools are the heart of
many communities. School
buildings may serve as gathering
spaces for sports practices
or meetings for various
organizations. Even though
schools are likely to receive
municipal funding for certain
operations, budgets are frequently
being cut and schools
may need all the help they can
get. This year the boundaries
of the budget may be pushed
even further as schools revamp
their spaces and implement
certain safety protocols
to confront the pandemic.
Now more than ever schools
may need help. Here’s how to
do just that.
Volunteer your time. Find
out ways you can volunteer
time at school. This may be
helping teachers make copies
of assignments, supervising
children at recess or lunch
hours, serving as a chaperone
at school functions, or being
a coach or mentor for afterschool
activities.
Attend and participate in
fundraisers. Fundraisers are
essential to help offset costs
for many special events and
services for students. Whenever
possible, give wisely
through fundraisers.
Provide supplies for classrooms.
Teachers often have to
supplement their classrooms
with supplies bought out of
pocket. Reach out to teachers
to see which items they need
and do your best to supply
them.
Join the PTA or a similar
school-sanctioned organization.
Many groups perform
functions that facilitate
strong connections between
home and school. Joining and
working with such organizations
can improve the school
experience for everyone.
Buy “Box Tops”-affi liated
products. The Box Tops for Education
program donates $0.10
per box top label collected and
submitted by schools back to
that school. More than 80,000
elementary schools have
earned money through the
program to buy equipment
and supplies. Box Tops can be
found on many different food
packages.
Treat the teacher. In addition
to supporting Teacher
Appreciation Days and other
school events, send in an uplifting
note, snack or another
way of showing you appreciate
his or her efforts. Schools play
integral roles in many communities,
and efforts to give
back can begin on campus
or through school-sponsored
programs.
Metro Images
Community giving
starts at school
Combatting more than just summer learning loss
Metro Images