May 30, 2018 | Press Release
During the summer months students risk losing 2-3 months of reading skills if they aren't engaged in learning. This is called "summer slide." Summer learning loss affects all students, but disproportionally impacts low-income students, which can contribute to an ever-widening achievement gap.
Lubbock Area United Way is addressing this issue by partnering with nonprofit organizations and local school districts to create a comprehensive calendar of summer reading programs and events available to keep kids engaged and help prevent summer learning loss. Most events are free and open to the public. The calendar can be found online here: http://www.liveunitedlubbock.org/summer-reading.
“It is great for our community to come together in a collaborative effort to address summer slide,” said Ashley Ammons, Lubbock Area United Way’s Community Impact Director.
“United Way is partnering with local school districts, the City of Lubbock, and local media to address this issue in a unified front. Reading is such a simple thing for many of us that we often forget how the ability to read can change a life. That’s what we’re trying to do here – change the lives of our local students by helping them retain and improve their reading skills over the summer.”
Research shows that access to books and learning during the summer months can not only curb summer learning loss but can boost student achievement during the school year. Children who continue to learn during the summer are healthier, safer, smarter, and their schools and communities are more successful.
ABOUT LUBBOCK AREA UNITED WAY
Since 1946, Lubbock Area United Way has conducted annual fundraising campaigns to support local nonprofit agencies. During that time more than $175 million has been contributed and used to support United Way’s mission of Giving • People • Hope.
Lubbock Area United Way’s 23 Community Partners work daily in the Lubbock area to assist people with needs such as affordable child care, crisis situations, character development, adult literacy, job training, and youth mentoring. A complete list of the Community Partners and the services they provide can be found online at www.liveunitedlubbock.org/community-partner-agencies.
MEDIA CONTACT
Nicole Ashley Lee / Amanda McAfee
nashley@unitedway-lubbock.org / amcafee@liveunitedlubbock.org
806.747.2711
For quotes or information from the local school districts, please contact:
Lubbock ISD: Nancy Sharp, nsharp@lubbockisd.org, 806.219.0010
Lubbock-Cooper ISD: Sadie Alderson, salderson@lcisd.net, 806.863.7100
Frenship ISD: Andy Penney, apenney@frenship.us, 806.866.6901