

New York students get an extra dose of learning and fun

With millions to spend, districts try to help students recover from a difficult year

Here’s a look at how the summer is going for students around the country. We want to make sure they are absolutely supported.” “Our communities were hit hard,” she said, “and not every child is in the same place. But as classes started in early July, Rachael Gazdick, head of New York Edge, one of the participating nonprofits, said her focus was on the kids. Like many programs, Summer Rising had a rocky start, with some administrators struggling to find staff and parents complaining about the sign-up process. That’s the agenda in New York City, the nation’s largest district, where an estimated 200,000 students are enrolled in the Summer Rising program, a joint effort by the Department of Education, the Department of Youth & Community Development and community nonprofits. A recent survey by the Center on Reinventing Public Education found that most large urban districts are offering an average of five weeks of summer learning, with many combining academics and activities like field trips or sports. There’s no definitive count yet of how many students are enrolled this summer in a wide range of new options, from a push to close early learning gaps in Texas to a summer program in Oregon that helps kids learning English. But kids of all ages - from kindergarten to high school - suffered academically and emotionally during months of isolation. Educators say they are especially concerned about students living in poverty, English-language learners and students with disabilities. If you have a question about enrollment for JumpStart, please call 62.Many districts are trying to focus on students who have lost the most during months of remote learning. Our commitment to ensuring your child is ready remains the same. It may simply be spread out, or condensed, based on staff availability at each school site this summer. Regardless of the date range of your schools' Kinder Jump Start, the curriculum and overall experience will be the same.
