The Wellington Catholic District School Board’s Launch to Literacy Summer Program is in full swing for two-weeks.
As part of the Ministry of Education’s focus on supporting summer learning opportunities, students in year two kindergarten and grade one are being immersed in oral language and early literacy skills and knowledge through explicit instruction in small and large group engaging activities and games.
This intensive support program is designed to improve students’ literacy development as they prepare to return to school in September.
“This program was designed to provide students with direct instruction in essential literacy skills required to become readers. It was also a great way to transition kids back to school since the program is run like a classroom and it helps support school readiness skills,” shared Nadia Tonin Program Coordinator and co-lead of the program.
Running until August 26, the Launch to Literacy Program is being offered in-person at St. Mary Catholic School in Elora, St. Paul Catholic School, and St. Joseph Catholic School in Guelph.
Teaching out of the St. Joseph Catholic School program, Sarah Lewis shared the importance of organizing summer literacy programs to both engage students and ease them back into the swing of consistent learning.
“These programs keep our students actively engaging in fun and educational activities that allow them to continue to develop their love for learning. Students from different areas of the community get to come together to learn, and often develop strong friendships in a few weeks,” she said. “They can have a school experience in a different setting and with a slightly different daily structure. Most important, students can continue to develop, review, and advance their skills needed for core subjects.”
Students were invited to take part in the program based on recommendations from teachers to offer an experience that can provide an extra boost in obtaining essential skills.
“This past year the government allotted additional funds due to the implications of the pandemic. The board decided to run a literacy program targeting K and grade 1 students,” explained Tonin, adding that this is the second year that this program has operated.
Over the course of the two-week period, students will focus specifically on listening and speaking skills, story sense and oral comprehension, phonemic awareness, phonics instruction, and word building with the goal being to make a difference in student’s confidence and achievement.
To learn more about literacy support programs offered through the Wellington Catholic District School Board please contact your school’s administrator.