MEDIA RELEASE

Summer Learning = School Achievement

Select Grand Rapids Students to Explore New Experiences

WHO:     Grand Rapids Public Schools middle and high school students

WHAT:     17 summer experience programs and 578 summer experience offers

WHEN:     Summer 2010

WHERE:     Targeted Grand Rapids neighborhoods

WHY:     In Grand Rapids Public Schools, achievement tests show that after working hard all year, some students lose up to 40% of their learning during summer vacation.

GRAND RAPIDS – Thanks to an infusion of private local funding, 578 middle and high school students in targeted Grand Rapids neighborhoods will receive “summer experience” offers this month. Some students will experience arts outings, field trips and college visits, while others will be offered part-time jobs… all designed to combat a phenomenon known as “summer learning loss.”

Through a collaborative effort of Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation, Area Community Services Employment and Training Council (ACSET), W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and The Douglas & Maria DeVos Foundation, 14 organizations have been selected to design and deliver experiential summer learning programs for 2010:

“This is a great opportunity for our youth, the future of our neighborhoods and our community,” said Nkechy Ezeh, associate director of United Methodist Community House. “These comprehensive summer programs provide a great way for students to catch up, embrace new experiences and make good decisions for the future.”

Students selected for the scholarships by GRPS educators will receive a brochure outlining summer experience options. The funded programs will include jobs, music, computers, outdoor and citizenship activities in combination with creative reading and math elements.

SUPPORTERS OF SUMMER LEARNING

Area Community Services Employment & Training Council

Child and Family Resource Council

City of Grand Rapids
Community Research Institute at Grand Valley State University

Frey Foundation

Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Grand Rapids Public Library

Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation

Grand Rapids Public Schools

Heart of West Michigan United Way

Kent Intermediate School District

Kent School Services Network

Literacy Center of West Michigan

Our Community’s Children

Sebastian Foundation

Steelcase Foundation

Student Advancement Foundation

The Douglas & Maria DeVos Foundation