UNITED WAY OF INDIANA COUNTY AND INDIANA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNOUNCE SUMMER CATCH-UP CAMP!
The global pandemic has caused numerous problems that will have a lasting effect. One of the most significant is the impact on the achievement and success of the current generation of school students - especially those in the most critical stages of intellectual growth. Numerous studies conducted during extended school closures over the years have consistently shown negative, long-term impacts on students in elementary school during the time of the closure. All schools in PA were closed for numerous days, and are now attempting to recreate school through a distance learning approach. Although the schools are working diligently to keep the students engaged, and progressing, there is no doubt that a gap is being created between where many of our students are and where they would be, had this pandemic never occurred.
The United Way of Indiana County and Indiana Area School District recognized the need to step in to combat these negative effects. “The United Way has been engaging in discussions to shift funding to address key focus areas based on needs in the community. We have chosen Childhood Success and are beginning to lay the foundation for school readiness and early grade proficiency which in turn is predictive of achieving graduation and preparation for financial stability. This partnership with the Indiana Area School District launches a strategy that begins to align academic and social needs of young children to ensure our leaders of tomorrow are receiving the supports they need today for each step to personal success”, states Jane Lockard-Clawson, Executive Director of United Way of Indiana County.
As a result of this partnership, we are pleased to announce that with the support of the United Way of Indiana County, the Indiana Area School District will be providing a “Summer Catch-Up Camp”. The camp will run from June 15th – July 24th, 2020. The camp will provide additional instruction and support for our students in grades K-3 to compensate for the time lost during the shutdown and help put them back on a path to success.
Teachers will provide consistent, fun and engaging activities aimed at improving the specific needs of each individual student. The design will include a live daily virtual connection between the instructor and the student through Google Suite for Education, and materials to assist parents and students with the reinforcement activities to work through if they choose. This brief (approximately one to two hours) time spent daily, working with teachers on critical developmental skills will provide significant growth toward the grade-level standards, and will ensure a strong foundation of skills on which the student can build as they learn and grow. If you would like information on how your child can participate, please visit www.iasd.cc.
Because of the foresight of the United Way of Indiana County, and their investment in our community’s future and focus on early childhood development, we are confident that we can limit the negative effects on the academic growth of hundreds of students in our community, providing them a head start on the road to recovering from this global crisis. “We are excited by this opportunity the United Way has provided. We are really concerned about the impact this shutdown will have on the development of our children, and this is a giant step toward ensuring their academic foundation is solid and that they are ready for the challenges coming their way”, states Robert Heinrich, Director of Education of Indiana Area School District.
This partnership between the United Way of Indiana County and the IASD will be a constructive step towards positive growth and development, providing our students hope and opportunity as they move forward. We are both proud to have the opportunity to serve local families and to help children grow and thrive!