The Anderson School District Two Summer Programs are underway this month.
Summer Reading Program
The Summer Reading Program is a 4-week program that serves kindergarteners, 1st graders, 2nd graders and 3rd graders from Honea-Path Elementary, Belton Elementary, Wright Elementary and Marshall Primary School.
“There’s a lot of summer slide (when students do not maintain what was learned throughout the school year) during the summer,” said Reading Coach Casi Russell. “We always see that the kids fall back during the summer and this is a time where we just maintain the kids where they are.”
According to Russell, 15 students per grade are invited to participate in the program which is funded by the State Department of Education through Read to Succeed.
The students receive small group instruction, work on phonics based lessons and other reading skills each day at Honea-Path Elementary. There is also a cultural activity or field trip such as swimming or canvas painting each afternoon.
“They complete the academic part up until 2 p.m. and then from 2-5 p.m. each day we have either a cultural opportunity or a field trip for each student to participate in,” said Heather Fallaw, Director of the program.“ This way we keep our attendance rate up and kids want to come.”
21st Century Program
Fallaw said there is also a ‘21st Century Community Learning Centers’ Summer Program that serves students from the district’s afterschool program.
According to Fallaw, roughly 65 students are participating in the 21st Century program this summer to receive reading and math instruction. The half-day program goes until 12:30 p.m. and also includes a cultural activity. It is funded through the 21st Century Grant.