Summer Learning Week July 10-15

JOHNSTON COUNTY – Johnston County Commissioners have proclaimed July 10-15, 2023 as Summer Learning Week. The proclamation was presented by Chuck Williams, a member of Read to Grow JoCo and its Summer Learning Loss Action Team, during a recent county commission meeting.

The week of July 10-15 is dedicated to emphasizing the importance of keeping kids learning throughout the summer to ensure they return to school ready to succeed. Williams announced the Paws for Reading events Read to Grow will sponsor in July to celebrate Summer Learning Week.

The Summer Learning Loss Action Team believes summer is a crucial time period that can serve as an opportunity for children performing below grade level to catch up to their higher achieving peers. By educating about the effects of summer learning loss, and empowering parents, educators, legislators, and the community to advocate for summer learning opportunities, we can increase the potential for every child to succeed in school and life.

During Summer Learning Week, Read to Grow JoCo will sponsor Paws for Reading Events, where children, up to age 8, get to adopt a stuffed pet and promise to read to them for 20 minutes a day during the summer. This will be the third summer of Paws for Reading, with almost 300 children receiving a reading pet last year.

In addition, each event will have a celebrity guest speaker such as Carolina author Kimberly Johnson, and Princeton Mayor Don Rains.

Paws for Reading Events:

July 10^th – Mary Duncan Public Library, Benson, 10 – 11 am

July 11^th – Princeton Public Library, 10 – 11 am

July 12^th – Cleo Feeding Program, Benson, 11 – 12 pm

July 13^th – Partnership for Children Park, Smithfield, 9 – 10 am

              – Selma Public Library, 10 – 11 am

              – Reginal Ennis Gym, Smithfield, 10:30 – 11:30 am

              – Kenly Public Library, 2 – 3 pm

              – Hocutt-Ellington Library, Clayton, 3 – 5 pm

              – Sarah Yard Center, Smithfield, 3:30 – 4:30 pm

July 14^th – Johnston Court Apartments, 11 – 12 pm

              – Smithfield Library, 2 -3 pm

Read to Grow consists of a wide variety of community members including business leaders, faith community members, families, Partnership for Children of Johnston County, My Kids Club, Johnston County Public Schools and their Board of Education. As a collaborative group, Read to Grow is working to connect resources, develop initiatives, and achieve the targets and milestones set to impact the 3 pillars of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (CGLR), kindergarten readiness, chronic absenteeism, and summer learning loss.