Tips for summer learning

Published in Chinese in Sing Tao Daily.

By Dr. Vincent Matthews

We’ve made it to the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Congratulations to all SFUSD graduates! To everyone in our SFUSD community, thank you for continuing to support our students, and inspire us with your resilience during challenging times. 

Thanks to the hard work of students as well as teachers and families our public schools are seeing a steady upward trend in our graduation rate: the SFUSD cohort graduation rate improved from 84.4% in 2016-17 to 88.3% in 2020-21. And, SFUSD’s graduation rate once again surpassed the state’s rate (the state’s graduation rate is 83.6% compared to SFUSD’s 88.3%).

Summer Learning 

Just because school is out for summer doesn’t mean that learning stops. In fact, there are many ways you can encourage your child to continue their learning all summer long. This year 92 school sites and other city sites are offering summer programs for up to 17,000 of our students. Programs are presented in partnership with various community-based organizations and available for grade levels PK-12. This year, summer programs will be primarily in person with some virtual tutoring. 

To supplement learning for elementary students, for the second year in a row, SFUSD is providing every student in grades PK - 5 with a summer backpack loaded with reading materials and fun activities! 

Below are a few summer learning ideas for you and your family. 

Read a book (or lots of books!)

Each summer the SF Public Library holds its Summer Stride event to promote summer learning, reading and exploration for all ages and abilities. Challenge yourself and others to read, learn and listen with the Library this summer. Begin your journey toward 20 hours of summer learning starting in June. Don’t have a library card? SFUSD students can email info@sfpl.org to activate their SF Public Library Scholar Card today!

Let’s talk about race and social justice

There is no better time than the present to talk with your family about race and social justice in the U.S. SFUSD staff have compiled a brief list of books, articles, videos, websites and other resources for families to explore race and social justice with children of different ages. 

Connect with nature

Did you know that San Francisco has 220 city parks and every resident has access to a park within a short walk from their home? Check with San Francisco Recreation and Parks and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy for some fresh air inspiration.

And here’s a way to incorporate learning into your park visit: Find a spot to sit in quietly with a partner for 10 minutes. Use your science observation tools (eyes, ears, nose and fingers). Tell your partner all the things you see, hear, smell, and feel. Find a new spot each day.

No matter what learning opportunities you seek out, I hope you and your family have a safe and wonderful summer.

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