Remember what your kids learned in school? Make sure they do, too

FLINT, Michigan—Learning shouldn’t stop in the summer and a series of events are being planned this week by the Flint & Genesee Literacy Network to highlight about all the fun (and educational) events available for families. 

National Summer Learning Days begins today, July 25, and continues through July 29 with events taking place all over Genesee County. All are free to join. 

The events include the “Crim Fitness Foundation STEAM Camp,” a hands-on opportunity for kids interested in engineering and technology; “Love Your Lake” for nature lovers; and “Flint Community Schools Summer Family Reading” for those looking to sit down with their loved ones and read a good book. For a full list of events go to www.flintliteracy.net/summer-learning.

“Summer learning loss is the greatest barrier to overcome,” said Ja’Nel Jamerson, director of the Flint & Genesee Literacy Network. He hopes the week serves as a reminder to families about the resources available—and actively helps children throughout the community come to school ready to learn in the fall. 

The Flint & Genesee Literacy Network brought together more than a dozen partners to bring Summer Learning Days to the community, many of which came together to announce the effort in a press conference Tuesday at the Flint Public Library. 
 
These events emphasize the importance of reading, fine arts, and healthy living as well as the importance of parents being involved in their child’s learning process. 

“Kids are able to recognize parents as their first teacher and advocate,” Jamerson said. “The main focus is literacy for life.”

“It’s important that all children and youth have access to high-quality summer learning experiences to help them succeed in school, their careers, and in life overall,” said Mayor Karen Weaver, who spoke at the press conference Tuesday. “The opportunities to obtain enriching summer experiences, healthy meals, a first job and more, can open many doors and possibilities to brighter futures for our young people. We are grateful to have so many learning and literacy resources in the Flint community.”

Community partners hosting activities and events for National Summer Learning Days in Flint and Genesee County include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flint and Genesee County, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Flint/PEAK, Communities First Inc., Carriage Town Ministries, Crim Fitness Foundation, Department of Public Safety – UM-Flint, Fairhaven Community Center, Flint & Genesee Literacy Network, Flint Community Schools, Flint Development Center, Flint Institute of Arts, Flint Public Library, Genesee County CARD, Genesee County Parks, GISD Head Start, Park Place Hair Studio and Family Housing Realty, Ruth Mott Foundation/Applewood Estate and Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village.

For more information, www.flintliteracy.net.