Summer Programs for All

All students deserve the opportunity to engage in summer enrichment programs. 

Problem

There are many barriers preventing all students from accessing summer enrichment programs, creating inequity in additional learning opportunities.

Our Plan

Enrich student learning and enhance educational outcomes by effectively spending tax dollars on 20 days and partnering with organizations that have the funds. 

We propose the following uses for the additional 20 days of enrichment: 

• Offer a diverse menu of universal programs for families to choose from by partnering with existing programs, counselors, and community members. A single program can offer multiple enrichment opportunities.

• Help students reach baseline requirements for transitioning to the next grade and extend their skills beyond the curriculum. 

• Explore careers through professional development, like deciding if students’ next steps include college or a job, and diving deep into those application processes. 

• Acknowledge, support, and give credit for high school students’ work outside of school as the enrichment experience that it is. We must equalize the respect for kids to go to college and those who choose not to - we need their skills. 

• Offer different teaching contracts for teachers who want to work the additional 20 days. 

• If a school is being deep cleaned during the summer, we recognize the hard work of our maintenance workers, and ensure districts have the ability to partner with other facilities. 

• Revamping remedial education programs, ensuring integrated child-centered programs (e.g. integrate sports camp with math).

This Matters

Millennials and Gen-Zers, whose children are now going through the school system, have the least amount of paid time off and take the least vacation time, while daycare costs continue to rise. 20 days of enrichment would not only alleviate some of these stressors for parents, but would also boost student retention, learning, preparation, and achievement.