In the News
Give Something Back Office Supplies announced as inaugural business partner for statewide “Summer Matters” campaign
June 12, 2013 | Press Release
Company’s support reflects California business leaders’ growing momentum for investing in high quality summer learning opportunities that combat “summer learning loss” and strengthen Students’ Success.
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Summer is great time for kids to learn
May 27, 2013 | FresnoBee.com
Larry Powell
Larry Powell describes that Fresno is seeing firsthand how summer learning is changing students' lives for the better, each and every summer. And just as the school year is beginning to wind down, Fresno will host the statewide Summer Matters campaign 2013 Kick-Off on Thursday May 30th.
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New report: how summer learning strengthens students
May 24, 2013 | Afterschool Snack - A blog from the Afterschool Alliance
Nikki Yamashiro
As another school year is coming to an end and summer break is fast approaching, Public Profit’s new report, “Summer Matters: How Summer Learning Strengthens Students’ Success,” couldn’t have come at a better time.
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Summer Matters: New Hands-on STEM Opportunity
May 23, 2013 | Cupertino Patch
Dave Cortese and Jennifer Peck
Momentum is growing in San Jose to make Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) an educational priority, including the launch of a new local program this summer.
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Summer Matters
May 18, 2013 | NBC- Bay Area Class Action
Jessica Aguirre interviews Katie Brackenridge
Katie Brackenridge shares why high quality summer learning programs are just the answer to combat the problem of summer learning loss.
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San Jose Hosts Annual PTA Convention
May 16, 2013 | El Observador- Bay Area Hispanic News
Osvaldo Castillo
The California Parent-Teacher Association held its annual convention on MAY 2-5, 2013, in San Jose, to adopt three resolutions that will help students succeed academically. These resolutions were to aid inclusive schools and special needs students; make sure school board candidates meet certain qualifications; and improving summer learning, which the Parent-Teacher Association believes is highly important.
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How Summer Learning Strengthens Students' Success
May 15, 2013 | Learning in Afterschool and Summer
Sam Piha
We know from research that summer learning loss suffered by kids who do not have access to engaging summer programs is significant. Public Profit ... released their findings on the benefits that children accrued by participating in pilot summer programs across the state.
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Activities for Children During Summer Vacation
May 10, 2013 | Univision 14- San Francisco
Experts warn that many children lose what they have learned during the school year in the summer months, and this is important to keep them active. Included is a list of ideas and free programs.
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Summer Enrichment Programs Prove Their Value
May 6, 2013 | EdSource
John Fensterwald
The organizers of a statewide campaign to encourage school districts to offer quality summer enrichment programs have documented gains in learning and growth in social skills that they anticipated would benefit low-income, minority students in their programs.
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San Jose Students Take On STEM this Summer 2013
April 26, 2013 | El Observador – Bay Area Hispanic News
April is Math Awareness Month. San Jose’s momentum is growing to make Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) an educational priority with the launching of a new local program.
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Summer Learning Programs in Need of Seasoning
April 15, 2013 | LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL
David Rattray and Jennifer Peck
As businesses evaluate their corporate social responsibility programs for 2013 and beyond, those wanting to invest wisely in education ought to put high-quality summer learning programs at the top of the list.
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Summer Learning Programs' Potential for Bridging Achievement Gaps
April 9, 2013 | Education Week
Gina Cairney
Children learn best when they're healthy, and while summer is usually a time when many children participate in a myriad of summer enrichment programs, some children who could most benefit don't get that opportunity, according to the National Summer Learning Association.
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"Summer Matters" More Than Ever
March 29, 2013 | MCOE News: The newsletter of the Monterey County Office of Education
As the days get longer, it’s time to start planning for summer and ensuring that Monterey County students have access to high quality summer learning opportunities that are enriching and enjoyable. Read more on page 9.
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Jefferson Award Winning SF Teacher Helps Close City’s Achievement Gap
March 20, 2013 | CBS San Francisco
Sheryl Davis has been a teacher in San Francisco for 15 years. She started with kindergarteners at a private school in Pacific Heights, but when she volunteered her free time to teach low-income students in the nearby Western Addition, she was the one who learned something
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What the Sequester Will Do to California Summers
March 4, 2013 | The Huffington Post
Jennifer Peck
If the sequester results in cutbacks to summer learning programs that are essential to student success, it will add up to academic setbacks for students who lack access to summer learning opportunities.
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Cities and Schools Collaborate on Summer Programs
March 3, 2013 | EdSource
Susan Frey
The Summer Matters 2013 Conference showcases Concord, Oakland and San Francisco as models of cities and school districts that are successfully partnering on summer learning.
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Summer Matters: How Summer Learning Strengthens Students’ Success
| www.edfunders.org - What We're Reading
Grantmakers for Education
An analysis of the effects of summer-learning programs suggests that efforts to close the achievement gap during the school year alone will fail.
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STEM and the Summer Opportunity
November 26, 2012 | Silicon Valley Education Foundation
Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla and Jennifer Peck
An innovative pilot program in Oakland and Mount Diablo Unified School District demonstrates the effectiveness of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) learning during the summer months, and how out-of-school time programs are well-suited for engaging students in STEM curriculum.
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This November, Learning Is on the Ballot
October 30, 2012 | Huffington Post
Jennifer Peck interview
What's really at stake for children's education in the 2012 elections and why voting "yes" to invest in schools matters more than ever.
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Despite budget cuts, some Bay Area school districts are offering innovative summer programs
July 23, 2012 | San Jose Mercury News
Recognizing the importance of summer learning, Bay Area school districts are finding inventive ways to invest in summer learning programs, despite tight budgets.
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Summer campers learn about nutritious food choices at Old Oakland Farmers Market
July 23, 2012 | Oakland Tribune
East Bay Asian Youth Center (EBAYC) summer learning program students get a hands-on lesson in healthy eating during a colorful field trip to the Old Oakland Farmers Market.
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Campers find success
July 23, 2012 | Willows Journal (Glenn County)
Profile of Glenn County Office of Education's summer learning program, Expect Success Summer Camp, that delivers engaging educational programming in a fun camp-like setting.
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Hybrid programs aim to stem summer learning loss
July 23, 2013 | USA Today
More school districts are providing summer learning programs that combine academics and recreation to bolster students’ academic achievement, health and well-being during the critical summer months.
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Summer learning faces cuts
July 23, 2012 | CNN
CNN features acclaimed summer learning program, L.A.’s BEST, as an example of why summer learning programs are essential to student’s academic success and summertime health and well-being.
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Retired military officers: Lazy summers threaten our national security
July 19, 2013 | San Jose Mercury News
“Lazy Days of Summer: A National Security Threat?", a new report by Mission: Readiness finds that summer learning loss is weakening U.S. national security by contributing to food insecurity, childhood obesity and school dropout rates – all of which are undermining the U.S. economy and the strength of its armed forces.
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In Support of the Whole Child
July 10, 2012 | Huffington Post
Leading Huffington Post Education, Parenting and Health bloggers make the case for a more innovative, holistic and “whole-child” approach to U.S. public education in the 21st century.
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Bay Area Educator Jennifer Peck Honored In Washington D.C.
July 3, 2012 | CBS San Francisco
Interview with Partnership for Children and Youth’s Jennifer Peck about being honored by the Afterschool Alliance in Washington, D.C. and her efforts to expand access to summer learning opportunities for California students.
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Upcoming Events
Summer Matters Program Staff Conference 2013
“Today is our day. We’re off to Great Places! We’re off and away!”
To register, please go to: http://summermatters2013directstaffconference.eventbrite.com
We are excited to announce that on Friday, June 7, 2013, the Partnership for Children and Youth (PCY) will be hosting our third Summer Matters Conference. This FREE conference provides practical training and tools to help summer learning programs create a summer culture that is inclusive, youth-focused, and most importantly, fun! The 2013 Summer Matters Conference is designed for front-line staff, teachers, and site coordinators. It will host various Bay Area presenters with topics, including: Summer Culture, Classroom Management, Planning and Reflection, Building Community, Cooperative Learning, and Youth Voice. In addition, the following program specialty sessions will be provided: Arts, Sports/Fitness, Nutrition, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Registration for this event will close at 5:00 PM on June 4th
back to topSpotlight on our Champions
Summer learning is essential to students’ success and more and more education leaders are taking a stand, making the commitment to make summer matter for the children in their communities.
An Interview with Superintendent Dr. Nancy Kotowski
We spoke with Dr. Kotowski to ask her why and how summer matters in Monterey County. Click on the title to read the full interview.
30 Superintendents Stand Up for Summer
California school superintendents are standing up for summer learning. See the growing list of superintendents across the state who are supporting the Summer Matters campaign’s efforts to expand access to high quality summer learning opportunities for California students.
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