Public libraries help children avoid “summer slide effect”
It’s not only a cool place to hang out during El Paso’s scorching summer heat, the El Paso Public Library is holding its Summer Reading Club to avoid the “summer slide effect”.
Jack Galindo, the library’s customer relations coordinator said the “summer slide effect” happens during summer vacation when children forget what they learned in school.
When a new school year begins, teachers spend more time reteaching what students learned during the previous year.
“Students who aren’t engaged academically or who don’t read or do something challenging with their minds tend to slide back a little bit in their learning,” said Galindo.
Research from Scholastic, a major book publishing company in the United States said the amount of learning and reading that is not done over the summer can impact whether a child ultimately earns a high school diploma.
The consequences are higher with children who live in low-income households.
The Summer Reading Club is free and open to all children. Parents are asked to accompany their kids or have adult supervision.
“Through the reading club they are asked to read eight books or eight hours depending on their reading level,” said Galindo.
If the reading goal is met, students will receive a certificate of completion and also get free prizes at the end of the summer.
This summer 10,000 children are expected to sign up for the reading club.
Daisy Martinez is already taking advantage of the program, “It’s a great reading program for the children, the guys here really do an excellent job on educating the kids and it keeps them entertained,”she said.
There are activities available for the entire family.
Galindo added, “It’s also a great place to come when the heat is really high.”
The Summer Reading Club is underway at all branches of the El Paso Public Library through July 12.
Those who register will be entered into a free drawing to win a grand prize such as a digital camera or 1 of 2 tablet computers.
“What we want to do here at the library is help kids stay away from the ‘summer slide’, we don’t want them to ‘ride the slide,'” said Galindo
You can register online at http://www.elpasolibrary.org/, or at the nearest library branch.
Other reading programs in El Paso:
Books Are Gems is a bookstore organization involved in child literacy and helping children own books.
June 12-July 3
St. Mark’s Methodist Reading Camp
5005 Love Rd. 79922
(915) (915) 581-4444
Grace Methodist Reading Camp
400 N. Carolina 79915
(915) 772-7481
July 7th – July 31st
Grace Methodist Reading Camp
Houchen Community Center
609 Tays St. 79901
(915) 533-6445
