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Dr. Sheila Harrison-Williams didn’t need scientific studies
to understand the phenomenon of “summer slide”—the
learning loss that can take place when students do not
engage in educational activities during the summer break.
She has seen it firsthand in her years as a teacher and later
as a superintendent.
That’s why she introduced the “Making Magic happen for Our
Kids” summer reading engagement program eight years ago
in Hazel Crest School District 152 ½. The program includes
such opportunities as access to more than 10,000 books
through myON, an online digital library for which the district
has contracted. Students also have access to Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt print and digital reading materials as well as
using the Renaissance Accelerated Reader computerized
reading comprehension program.
All of that is especially useful during the school year, when
students have access to 1:1 digital devices and internet
connectivity provided by the schools. However, Harrison-
Williams knew that more needed to be done to provide
opportunities for all students in the south Cook community
of Hazel Crest, where state report card information indicates
that 99 percent of students are from low-income homes.
“Experts agree that children who read during the summer
months keep their reading skills sharp and are better
Sheila Harrison-Williams, PhD
IASA President-Elect
Superintendent, Hazel Crest #152-5
prepared for the challenges of the next grade level,” said
Harrison-Williams. “We have some wonderful online
options for our students, but we understand that not every
child has internet access away from school. That’s why we
came up with the idea of our Scholastic Summer
Reading Pack.”
Every student in grades K-8 receives a book pack that
includes four or five paperback books appropriate for
the student’s grade level. Parents are introduced to the
program during parent-teacher conferences and provided
with a sample reading packet with activity sheets earlier
during the school year. During the final week of school,
teachers provide students with an introduction to the
program and engage in activities before passing out
the packets.
When students return to school in the fall, teachers will
have lesson plans for students to discuss, reflect and
share their thoughts about the books they read over
the summer.
“This book pack will also provide families with an
opportunity to spend quality time with their child helping
to build comprehension, vocabulary and critical thinking
skills,” Harrison-Williams said. “I hope that by exposing
children to exciting books written by popular authors and
featuring a wide range of engaging characters, we can
encourage all Hazel Crest students to become lifelong
readers and learners. When this happens, the world opens
and everything becomes possible for all children.”
Hazel Crest’s readingprogram
aimedat stopping
‘summer slide’
By Michael Chamness
IASA Director of Communications