Summer 2020: Opportunities to Learn and Play

UPDATE (July 1): PUSD’s Summer Learning Headstart presentation includes an updated list with links to academic resources, volunteer opportunities and summer programs for children of ALL ages (little ones through high schoolers!). View the presentation.

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With the 2019-2020 school year drawing to a close, what’s on tap for our children this summer, in this weird, still-mostly-safer-at-home time? Below is a summary of learning opportunities offered through PUSD.

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UPDATE: On June 2, PUSD’s Division of Academics issued a message acknowledging that emergency remote learning caused PUSD to modify instruction this spring, and offering parents resources to support their student’s academic readiness in preparation for the school year starting August 17.

  1. Parent Guides to Student Success published by the National PTA, lists essential skills in Math and Reading for Kindergarten through High School. PUSD suggests that you may want to review the grade level guide for your child’s 2019-20 grade level, and then use the Resource List to supplement your child’s learning over the summer.

  2. PUSD Resource list of supplemental learning materials that you may want to use this summer to help your student synthesize learning.

The message from PUSD Division of Academics, with resource links, is also available as a PDF in both English & Spanish.

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Summer Learning Opportunities:

LEARNS - Beginning Monday, June 1, 2020 through Thursday, July 2, 2020, students can access daily reading activities, math games, enrichment activities with easy-to-follow instructions using items found around the house, interactive fitness challenges, and computer coding games at www.pusd.us/learns. In addition, students in grades 2-5 enrolled in LEARNs during the 2019-20 school year will continue to have access to Imagine Learning Literacy and Imagine Math online curriculum through July 2020. Individualized learning plans allow students to continue to learn at their own pace during summer. Parent information on how to access licenses is here in English and Spanish and will be available on the LEARNs website at pusd.us/learns beginning Monday, June 1, 2020 through July 2, 2020.

Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) - While PEF’s Summer Enrichment program won’t take place in person this summer, PEF is offering an alternative summer option online this year for students Pre-K through 12th grade. It will include hands-on video lessons, summer learning tips, volunteer opportunities, and links to partner resources. Registration is not required and participation is free. Find out more at www.pefsummer.org, where you can sign-up for PEF’s Summer Times newsletter with weekly updates from June 8–July 10. Supply kits will also be available for low-income families in the community.

Method Schools Summer Program - PUSD is partnering with Method Schools, an accredited online charter, to offer summer classes for credit. Students should check with their counselors before signing up. According to PHS counselor Erica Linares, high school students can use this “to make up a course because you either received a failing grade or wish to improve your grade.” (High school students who got a C or better in a class should note, however, that colleges do not accept a repeat for a higher grade.) High school students may also use this to take a course they have not already taken (including PE or a World Language) for credit. Middle school courses are also available, but again, students are advised to consult with their school counselor first.

Other Resources

Libraries have been offering virtual storytimes and craft sessions, and are beginning to offer curbside pick-up as well:

Pacific Oaks College offers a list of 10 early childhood education resources for families to engage young children at home.

The Children’s Workshop, a nonprofit arts education group, is offering a virtual creative writing workshop for 8- to 12-year olds via YouTube.

MOMSLA.com has compiled a listing of 29 online summer camps

These are only a few of the many online resources available to keep kids (and grown-ups) busy and stimulated during the summer months. Check our Facebook page and contact us if you have questions or ideas to share.

nancy duffordsummer, virtual learning, PEF, LEARNS, summer school, library