Detroit Public Schools (DPS) Kicks Off Brand New Family Summer Academic Olympics Contest & Campaign

Detroit Public Schools is catching the Olympics spirit by engaging families to be a part of the brand new DPS FAMILY SUMMER ACADEMIC OLYMPICS, a new summer learning contest and campaign.

DPS students love to READ!

The contest consists of weekly academic activities and take-home workbooks for all ages. The weekly activities begin July 16, 2012.  Themes include Rockin’ Readers Tuesdays, Family Field Day Wednesdays and Math Made Easy Thursdays.  A DPS summer reading list and other activities also will be incorporated into the contest and can be found at detroitk12.org/SayImInToSummerReading

Families will track points to win the GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE medals at the culminating event in August and win incentives like Family Fun Packs, gift cards and a surprise grand prize for families that take home the GOLD medal.

“As one of many strategies to empower parents to play a lead role in their children’s education, we are introducing the Summer Academic Olympics as a tool parents can use to fight brain drain, and maintain and strengthen math and reading skills over the summer!” said Sharlonda Buckman, CEO of the Detroit Parent Network.

Registration will occur Tuesdays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in any DPS Parent Resource Center.  During that time, families will receive an overview of the DPS FAMILY SUMMER ACADEMIC OLYMPICSprogram. For locations, go to detroitk12.org/parents . A marathon team of parents and Detroit Parent Network organizers kicked off the program Thursday July 12 at the Ludington Magnet Middle School Parent Resource Center, which was decked out in red, white and blue for the occasion. The group announced the details of the DPS FAMILY SUMMER ACADEMIC OLYMPICS and then lit the ceremonial Olympics torch.

Say I’m In to Summer Reading

Summer is a time for fun and play. But did you know during summer students forget up to 60 percent of the math and reading skills learned during the school year? Also, the time children spend “relearning” lost skills during the next school year greatly reduces the valuable time needed to master new skills and subjects.

You Can Stop Your Child’s Learning Slide

How? A child’s ability to succeed in school takes a partnership—one that begins at home and continues in school. That is why the Michigan Department of Education developed fun learning activities called “Family FUNdamentals” to fit the interests and abilities of most children.

However, we know that all children learn differently. This means that some activities may be too simple for your child; others may be too hard. And others simply might not interest your child. If your child seems bored or frustrated by an activity, don’t worry. Just move on to another! Or try making up your own activities, once you’ve seen the kinds of tips included in the packet.

The following activities align with state education standards and support what students are taught in the classroom. To download the activities visit the
Family FUNdamentals Pre K-3 Learning Activities on the Michigan Department of Education website.

Read the full Executive Summary for Summer Learning

Source: Michigan Department of Education

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Posted by WoodlawnPost on Jul 15 2012. Filed under Education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.