Summer is a break from class, not learning

The school year is over and in less than two months, we’ll already have started another year. Can you believe it? The old adage “time flies” is surely right.

The summer break is a wonderful time to make memories and share some valued family time. I hope all our families can spend some time doing the things they enjoy most.

During the school year, our children have numerous opportunities to progress and learn. They read, write, solve math problems and explore through various projects. But during the summer months, many children take a vacation from learning activities and practicing the skills they need to be successful.

Today’s column is focused on ways to maintain skills and encourage continued learning as well as a selection of quality enrichment opportunities.

The best ways to support learning in the summer do not include formal tutoring, textbooks and worksheets. In fact, summer is an excellent time to put the skills your child has learned to functional use. Whether your family travels on a special vacation, takes short trips in our local community or spends the summer at the ball park, pool or in the neighborhood with family and friends, encourage your child to keep a daily diary or journal and write about their various experiences. Challenge your young child to use complete sentences with descriptive language and a varied vocabulary.

Don’t forget a great resource to keep skills sharp is Compass Learning (make sure your child has an access code). Compass Learning is an online research based tool aligned with Kentucky standards. It allows each child, preschool through eighth grade, to be on an individual learning path based on activities assigned by the teacher and/or correlated with standardized test scores. Students  ay access their accounts at www.compass.hardin.k12.ky.us/childu/index.html.

If your child has forgotten the login and password, you may contact the school’s media specialist. These are set up uniquely by each site.

We also encourage our students to visit the Hardin County Public Library, especially in the summer. Find details on locations, activities and hours of operation at www.hcpl.info. Above all, keep reading as a priority. 

Families with students making transitions to new schools are encouraged to visit the school before the school’s open house. Take time to visit with the principal, assistant principal or any of the staff in the building on that particular day. If you are visiting a school hosting the School Food Summer Program, you might want to enjoy lunch during your visit.

When schools are closed for the summer months, many children stop receiving nutritious meals. The School Food Summer Program was established to ensure children could continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer that are comparable to those served during the school year. Free meals are provided to all children at approved sites. Any child age 18 and younger may receive meals at no cost through this program. Adults may also eat for $3.50. The meals will be prepared and served this summer at Central Hardin High, North Hardin High, John Hardin High, and North Park Elementary. The program runs from today to Friday, July 29, except Monday, July 5. Each site will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Mark your calendars for August 3. That is the first day of school for students. Remember that just because school is not in session, it doesn’t mean learning stops. This is the best time to practice lessons learned in life’s laboratory. Enjoy your summer.

Nannette Johnston is superintendent of the Hardin County Schools.