Greater Rochester Summer Learning Association

www.summerleap.net

GRSLA is moving locations next month and we NEED help obtaining office furniture. Let us know if you can help!

Summer is a chance for children and youth to continue developing, but for those living in disadvantaged communities, summertime experiences can lead to worse health, social, emotional, academic, and safety outcomes, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Happy First Day of Fall! Here's some motivation for your Monday.

Ahoy mateys! Happy talk like a pirate day! To celebrate GRSLA is getting you in the spirit with some pirate jokes to share with your friends, family or co-workers. Check out our story on Facebook and Instagram to see all of the different pirate jokes. And take a look at the pirate adventures that some of our summer-leapers get into during our programs.

To celebrate back to school and national school picture day, we thought it would be fun to post some of our staff’s school pictures! These crazy kids want to spread the word about summer learning loss and how summer learning programs can help kids grow academically, socially and emotionally.

Go take a look at our brand new Instagram to see what we're up to! Follow us at GRSLARochester!

Our promise to the students we serve.

Happy National Read a Book Day! Today is a great day to read a book by yourself or with your family.

Happy Back to School Week!

Farewell Summer 2019. See you next summer! Today is the final day that all of the summerLEAP and we want to give thanks to all of the amazing organizations who hosted our EPK/UPK summerLEAP programs: Adams Street R-Centers - Rochester Community Centers (City of Rochester, NY - Mayor's Office) ... Caring and Sharing Child Care Center Community Child Care Center Creative Beginnings Child Care, Inc Generations Child Care & Education Friendship Children's Center Ibero American Action League, Inc. Oregon Leopold Day Care Center Rochester Childfirst Network and Volunteers of America Upstate New York. We are also grateful for our K-11 summer learning partners: Summer LEAP at Allendale Columbia School (Allendale Columbia School) Summerleap at Brockport (The College at Brockport State University of New York) Education Success Foundation Horizons at Harley (The Harley School) Horizons at MCC (Monroe Community College) Horizons at Warner/University of Rochester (University of Rochester) Maplewood Family YMCA summerLEAP Rochester Young Scholars Academy at SUNY Geneseo Soaring Stars at SUNY Geneseo and West Irondequoit summerLEAP (West Irondequoit CSD) This summer was made possible by all of YOU! The GRSLA Team, Interns, Board Members, Directors, Deans, Teachers, Families, Volunteers and Partners. We have ALL positively impacted at least one child’s life in these past six weeks and made sure that they had an unforgettable summer. Now as they head back to school, they will excitedly share all the new things they learned: the books they read, the math, the science experiments, the swimming lessons, the friendships they created, and the places they visited. We can’t wait for next summer when many of our students will return and we can continue to watch them grow! Until then, the staff and interns here at GRSLA will be working to make sure this all happens again next year. As we like to say, summer starts in September. We look forward to seeing all of our students come back next summer so we can continue to watch them grow and learn!

Daily Focus: Susan Neal, EPK/UPK Classroom Liaison for Baden Street, Friendship, Generations, Ibero, and Rochester Childfirst Network. GRSLA: Hello, Susan and welcome to GRSLA! Rochester wants to get to know you better. Could we ask a few fun questions? Susan: Yes, absolutely. ... GRSLA: How long have you been with GRSLA/ summerLEAP, and what did you do before you joined us? Susan: This is my first year with GRSLA/summerLEAP. During the school year, I am an RPPP UPK teacher with the Rochester City School District. This fall, I will be working as a Technical Support Teacher for the RCSD Early Childhood Department. GRSLA: What is the best part of your job so far? Susan: The best part is being in the classrooms and interacting with the children and supporting the teachers. GRSLA: What experiences do you hope to have this summer or what is something you want to accomplish this summer? Susan: I hope to build relationships with the teaching teams, center directors, and the children to ensure summerLEAP is a positive and successful experience for all involved. GRSLA: What was your favorite childhood book? Susan: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. GRSLA: If you could make up a new holiday, what would it be and why? Susan: I would make a new holiday called Kindness Day. Everyone deserves kindness, it is important to show kindness to people because kindness is a gift everyone can give and everyone deserves to receive. GRSLA: Who inspires you? Susan: The children/students. GRSLA: Last, but not least. Do you have a secret talent? Susan: I cook and I bake--especially bake cookies. GRSLA: Thank you for sharing, Susan. We are very glad to have you as part of the GRSLA/ summerLEAP Team!