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WILKES-BARRE — While a dozen children sat with eyes and ears wide open, a park counselor read “Put Me in the Zoo” by Robert Lopshire.

Off to the side, Bill Jones, President/CEO of the United Way of Wyoming Valley, was passing out free books to children who were taking a break from splashing in the water fountains at Coal Street Park.

“Does anybody want to read ‘The Saggy Baggy Elephant?’” Jones asked, as a young child snapped the book from his hands. “How about ‘Snow White,’ or ‘Monster Hunt’ or ‘Henry Goes Overboard?’”

All were taken by children eager to read between the covers of their new books.

The books were going fast as the United Way of Wyoming Valley celebrated National Summer Learning Day with the launch of its Imagination Station at the Food and Fun in the Park program Wednesday.

The United Way partners with the Wilkes-Barre YMCA for the program, in which each child receives reading-level appropriate books to keep in their personal library.

The Imagination Station also features reading mentors who volunteer to provide one-on-one and group reading opportunities and encourage summer reading.

Last summer, Jones said a total of 16,000 books were provided to the 3,600 participating children in the three-month summer program.

“For many children, learning loss — called the ‘summer slide’ — can mean they go back to school in September unprepared to learn new things,” Jones said. “Reading books over the summer can prevent that slide, but many families can’t afford books for their children.”

Marcia Jones brought her three children — Davis, seventh grade; Destiny, fifth grade, and Daveon, second grade — to Coal Street Park to enjoy the playground, basketball courts and splash pool.

“The kids love it here,” Jones said. “And they really like to read. This program is great for the kids — it keeps them sharp over the summer.”

National Summer Learning Day is a national advocacy day aimed at elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe and healthy every summer, ensuring they return to school in the fall ready to succeed in the year.

“Many children, especially those at-risk, can fall behind during the summer when school is out,” Jones said. “The summer slide is a very real phenomenon — children can lose up to two months of learning, causing them to not be ready when school resumes in September.”

So, Jones added, by conducting the summer reading program the United Way can help ensure that the children are reading during the season.

“And, we feel, they will be better prepared to succeed in the next school year,” Jones said.

Children of all school ages can participate in the program, Jones said, adding that all children are welcome.

Jennifer Deemer, United Way vice president of community impact, said the summer reading program is offered in all Wilkes-Barre City parks and at the YMCA.

“The program runs Monday through Friday and we also have three book distributions during the summer,” Deemer said. “All the books are donated by the members of the community.”

Deemer and Jones said the program, in its third year, has made a significant difference in the participants. They children also receive lunch, provided by the YMCA Summer Lunch Program.

The Achievement Gap

(National Summer Learning Association)

The Summer Slide is what often happens to disadvantaged children during the summer months. They tread water at best or even fall behind, while higher-income children build their skills steadily over the summer months.

Most students lose two months of mathematical skills every summer, and low-income children typically lose another two to three months in reading.

Summer learning loss during elementary school accounts for two-thirds of the achievement gap in reading between low-income children and their middle-income peers by ninth grade. (Based on a study by Johns Hopkins University)

The Achievement Gap between children from high- and low-income families is roughly 30 to 40 percent larger among children born in 2001 than among those born 25 years earlier.

Destiny Jones, 8 of Wilkes-Barre, sits atop a sculpture at Coal Street Park on Wednesday afternoon after receiving a book from the United Way and YMCA in celebration of National Summer Learning Day.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_TTL071119Books1.jpg.optimal.jpgDestiny Jones, 8 of Wilkes-Barre, sits atop a sculpture at Coal Street Park on Wednesday afternoon after receiving a book from the United Way and YMCA in celebration of National Summer Learning Day. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Hannah Sharif, 8, Chad and Nico Beale, ages 3 and 5, get books from the United Way at Coal Street Park.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_TTL071119Books4.jpg.optimal.jpgHannah Sharif, 8, Chad and Nico Beale, ages 3 and 5, get books from the United Way at Coal Street Park. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

C.J. Long, 5, Hannah Sharif, 8, Nico Beale, 5, and Chad Beale, 3, listen to a story at Coal Street Park Wednesday..
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_TTL071119Books3.jpg.optimal.jpgC.J. Long, 5, Hannah Sharif, 8, Nico Beale, 5, and Chad Beale, 3, listen to a story at Coal Street Park Wednesday.. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Emma Long, 2, listens as Leannae Thompson, YMCA’s Food and Fun director, while she reads to a group of kids at the Coal Street Park.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_TTL071119Books2.jpg.optimal.jpgEmma Long, 2, listens as Leannae Thompson, YMCA’s Food and Fun director, while she reads to a group of kids at the Coal Street Park. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

By Bill O’Boyle

[email protected]

The Achievement Gap

(National Summer Learning Association)

The Summer Slide is what often happens to disadvantaged children during the summer months. They tread water at best or even fall behind, while higher-income children build their skills steadily over the summer months.

Most students lose two months of mathematical skills every summer, and low-income children typically lose another two to three months in reading.

Summer learning loss during elementary school accounts for two-thirds of the achievement gap in reading between low-income children and their middle-income peers by ninth grade. (Based on a study by Johns Hopkins University)

The Achievement Gap between children from high- and low-income families is roughly 30 to 40 percent larger among children born in 2001 than among those born 25 years earlier.

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.