A group of students in the Northern Lehigh School District had a blast through their participation in a summer program.

Susan Beil, a summer learning program coordinator, presented information on the district’s Summer Learning Academy to the school board on Monday.

Beil told the board it was a “daunting task” to put together a six-week program for students in grades K-8 in less than a month.

“But, I am super proud of what we did in that time,” Beil said. “The kids were all engaged in learning.”

Beil said students participated for a number of reasons.

“Most of the middle schoolers were there for quite a recovery, but the younger kids were there, some of them because they had been virtual and their parents wanted to transition them back to in-person learning; some other parents felt they may have lost some learning over the (prior) summer,” she said. “Others were just there because they wanted to learn; we had kids that really did well virtually, but their parents wanted them to continue learning.”

Curriculum

Beil highlighted main aspects of the curriculum.

“We had really wanted to use as little tech as possible, but there really wasn’t a whole lot available at the time,” she said. “So we did use more tech than we originally planned.”

Beil noted one lesson that was hands-on that went over particularly well was MANGO Math (Measurement Algebraic Equations Numeration Geometry and Operations).

“That I think was one of the favorite things in the curriculum that we used,” she said.

Beil said they also used Scholastic Learning, and accessed Reading A-Z, so they could print out books for the kids, and the younger kids had book bags whereas they read their books, they put them in their bags and were able to take them home with them at the end.

“We had a great staff, they were very flexible,” she said. “We had some teachers that weren’t planning to teach elementary students and jumped on board when we needed them and did a great job.”

Beil explained the daily schedule, and added both middle school and elementary students received breakfast every day, and that they also got lunch, and it was free to all the kids that participated.

She said K-6 had three hours of academics, followed by lunch, and then one hour of specials in the afternoon. Every Friday, they had an award assembly where they recognized kids for things such as attendance and academic effort.

Beil said students in grades seven through eight received instruction ELA, Math, Social Studies and Physical Education.

Making gains

She reported 70% of students in K-4 made progress with Imagine Learning; while 48% of students in grades 5-8 made progress in Imagine Learning.

Beil said 82% of kindergarten students made gains in letter naming fluency, 62% of students in first and second grade made grades in oral reading fluency, 44% in grades 5-8 made gains as measured by the Star Reading Assessment.

She said they ended their program with a carnival, and thanked their sponsors, King Spry law firm, the Neffs National Bank, and Giant Food Stores.

Beil said it turned out great and the kids loved it, as they earned tickets throughout the program for things such as attendance, including 33 kids who didn’t miss a day.

“The kids really loved it, and some of them were really sad that it was over,” she said. “In six weeks, I was surprised, that’s a long time for kids to give up; I’m really proud of what we did.”

Director Donna Kulp said it sounds like it was very well received.

Superintendent Matthew J. Link thanked Beil, and congratulated her on the first summer program, and that he looks forward to the next three summers and hopefully beyond.

Link then echoed Beil’s appreciation to the district’s donors, and noted that King Spry donated $500, Giant Food Stores in Walnutport donated $5,906 - a portion of which went toward the carnival - and Neffs National Bank donated $100.

“Thank to all of our sponsors,” Link said. “We appreciate the support for our students and staff in such a new and innovative program.”