Fuel Connections over the Summer

Prevent learning loss by keeping students, parents, and teachers engaged during the summer months. These four strategies can help.

1. Ask parents what they need to support their student during summer break. You might create videos with the feedback you gather and post to the school website, a YouTube channel, a TikTok channel, or other district-approved, acceptable platform. Based upon the level you serve, you can focus on any variety of topics: a summer reading challenge, a book talk on what you’re reading this summer, a summer shout-out to celebrate staff members, a day-in-the life of the AP/Dean in the summer, a safety focused video (summer safety), any previews of work being done at the building over the summer, a video field trip of any unique/interesting places you or a staff member visits, a video tutorial of a hobby or project, etc. You might offer continued access to learning platforms, book backpacks either checked out or as donations, or any other ideas that surface as you connect with parents.
2. Offer summer enrichment opportunities. Consider how you can blend both academics and community based activities and experiences into your programming. 
3. Provide targeted support. Review attendance, achievement, participation and any other relevant data to identify students who may need additional support and attention. Consider how you can contribute to that need. It might be an email home to check in, a call to a parent, or an opportunity to participate in a unique learning experience. It might be that you connect them to an outside resource.
4. Community connections. You and your principal/admin team might decide to send an email update, newsletter, video update, or FB update along whatever timelines make sense over the summer. Do you have opportunities for community volunteers to help with summer projects at the school?

Whatever you choose to do, be mindful of your own needs to rest and rejuvenate this summer.