PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — United Way of Aroostook and Katahdin Trust Company have partnered for the fifth year of the Summer Slide reading program to bring books to first-graders over the summer.
The program began to give children reading materials so they could maintain reading skills and avoid the “summer slide” that often comes with summer vacation.
Although COVID-19 has disrupted normal routines for businesses and schools, the Summer Slide Backpack Reading program will continue with a few changes. Books and bags will be distributed to each school. Schools will distribute them to approximately 650 first-grade students through the schools’ “work pickup/dropoff” or lunch delivery programs.
“The backslide of skills has always been a concern, especially in the early elementary grades. This year, despite remote learning, the potential exists for a much more significant slide. When we look at this, coupled with families experiencing increased financial struggles, the United Way/Katahdin Trust Summer Slide program is more important than ever,” said Cheryl Hallowell, principal of Teague Park Elementary School in Caribou.
“Children need books to read at their level. This program does just that, puts leveled books in the hands of children to help them maintain their skills. This year, more than most, this program is greatly needed and appreciated,” Hallowell said.
Students in Korene Lord’s class at Greater Houlton ChristianAcademy were all smiles last year as they received their Summer Slide bags and books from Katahdin Trust employees. The first-grade reading program is in its fifth year.
(Courtesy of United Way of Aroostook)
“The presentation of new, on-level books to many students who feel the effects of a low socioeconomic status not only reinforces to these students the importance of reading, but also allows them access to books that they can take ownership of, instead of borrowing them from the school or library,” said Karen DuBois, principal at Van Buren District Elementary School.
“This program is important for children to see and hear that other members of our community care about how important reading and learning is. They do this by telling, showing, and providing the children with the tools and motivation to continue reading throughout the summer,” said Korene Lord, kindergarten/grade one teacher at Greater Houlton Christian Academy.
“We are so proud to partner with United Way of Aroostook again this year on their Summer Slide Reading Program to provide hundreds of new books for students across The County,” said Krista Putnam, senior vice president of marketing at Katahdin Trust. “The program may look a little different during this challenging time, but the bank is committed to helping children maintain their reading skills and keeping them engaged while being home.”
Education is a basic building block for a successful life. United Way of Aroostook is dedicated to improving the education and future of Aroostook County’s youngest citizens through the Summer Slide Program, as well as other efforts like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Stuff the Bus.
“At United Way of Aroostook, we are committed to ending the cycle of generational poverty through better educational outcomes for our children,” said Sarah Ennis, UWA executive director.
“The Summer Slide program helps to achieve that goal by helping to ensure children are reading at grade level when they enter the second grade. It also is a wonderful way to connect families and make reading a priority in the home,” she said.
For more information about United Way, contact Ennis at sarah@unitedwayofaroostook.org.
