Summer Learning and After-School Opportunities

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Notes from the Backpack Podcast

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Summer Learning and After-School Enrichment Opportunities

Just because children are out of school doesn’t mean the learning stops! Summer months and after-school time are perfect opportunities to build on in-school learning in enriching ways.

Out of school time is an importance chance to extend learning outside the classroom and make a plan to support your child's social and emotional development.

Thanks to our partners, Learning Heroes and the National Summer Learning Association, National PTA is pleased to offer tips and tools that will set your child up for success.

PTA leaders, teachers, parents and families should use the following resources to engage families in education throughout a child’s academic career.

Kids Reading During Summer

The community is a rich and exciting learning landscape for children in the summer.
– NSLA, Smarter Summers. Brighter Futures.

Steps to a Summer Stride

National PTA’s Our Children online magazine has a variety of ideas to help keep your family learning over the summer in fun ways!


Teens Reading During Summer

Use this easy, 3-step plan to support summer learning and prepare for the next grade (while having lots of fun!). Get the 3-step plan.

Steps to a Summer Stride

3 P's to remember your plan! Put the pieces together, pay attention to progress and partner up!
– Learning Heroes, From Puzzle to Plan.

 

Smarter Summers. Brighter Futures.

PTAs and schools are key to linking parents to vital summer learning opportunities that can help children have fun and meaningful learning experiences that prepare them for the next grade.

The Smarter Summers Brighter Futures Playbook empowers and equips PTAs and educators to make summers matter in their communities with easy-to-follow planning tools and strategies. Get yours!

Read the Playbook

Summer Learning Playbook

 

Learning Heroes – Summer ReMix Campaign 

Learning Heroes Summer ReMix provides tips and resources to help parents mix up summer learning by having fun and connecting with loved ones, while also supporting key grade-level skills needed for next school year.

  • The new Dear Program Leader letter helps parents share insights and goals so tutors or camp counselors can best support their child.
  • The Readiness Check gives parents a gut-check on how their child is doing with end of year reading and math skills so they know what to focus on during the summer. It also provides videos and activities to support these skills.

Kids Smiling

 

Champion All Aspects of Student Success

As PTA members, there’s a lot we can do year-round to make sure every child has a meaningful school year and boost the well-being of families in your community. PTA strongly believes that every child deserves to receive a well-rounded curriculum in a safe, supportive and welcoming school environment. Explore the resources below to get familiar with PTA’s positions on in-school and after-school programs and how to advocate.


 

Leveraging Community-Based Organizations for Student Health and Wellness

National PTA, in partnership with the YMCA of the USA and funded by the CDC, has been assessing school official and parent perceptions around out-of-school time offerings and the barriers to making these opportunities available to all families. Listen to clips from a workshop during our Level Up PTA 2024 Virtual Convention to learn about our findings and how these programs can be an asset for children and families impacted by the current youth mental health crisis.

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