Local Resources to Help Avoid the ‘Summer Slide’

Written By Alli Lee

School’s out for summer! While all kids look forward to summer as a time for vacation and no school work, statistics are showing that “the Summer Slide” is a very real thing. Students are returning to school in August at a loss, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are many free and valuable local resources to help kids keep their skills sharp and better prepared for their return to school. Additional resources maybe be found upon recommendation by your teachers or school corporation. Check them out to see what might work best for your students.

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Carver Community Center

  • Closing the Gap is a free summer education camp for students in grades K-5. The program is in its 28th year and provides the opportunity for students to keep their skills sharp or improve their knowledge to be more prepared for the following school year. This summer’s staff is so excited to help students in language arts, computers and math classes.  Closing the Gap continues into July each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration will be available until all classes reach full capacity. You can register your student or find more information by contacting the Carver Community Center by email kokomocarver@gmail.com, by phone at (765) 457-9318, or send a message to their Facebook page.

Ivy Tech Community College

  • Our local Ivy Tech Community College is offering free college courses this summer to high school students and graduating seniors. This is a great way for students to get ahead and save money if they plan to continue their education at Ivy Tech or another four-year institution. These courses can also help students explore career paths and improve skills that need attention. For more information about course offerings and registration, visit the Ivy Tech Community College Website or contact Mary Craig, executive director of K-14 initiative by email mcraig@ivytech.edu  or phone 765-252-5595. You can learn more about the programs Kokomo Ivy Tech offers by watching The Trek Video Series. 

Kokomo-Howard County Public Library

  • Summer Reading Program- June 7 through July 19

    • Challenge yourself to read everyday and win prizes with Kokomo-Howard County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. This year’s reading program theme is “Adventure begins at your library,” and is for readers of all ages. The libraries host many events that encourage reading and enhance the program theme throughout the Summer. You can register for the Summer Reading Program beginning Friday, June 7. There will be a special kickoff celebration beginning at 11 a.m. during the Strawberry Festival at KHCPL Main. For more information about upcoming events and the Summer Reading Program, visit the KHCPL Website.

  • Paw to Read

    • Reading can be even more fun when you have a partner! Especially when your partner is a really good listener. Each month at different KHCPL locations the opportunity to read with a pet partner is available for youth of all ages wanting to practice their reading skills. The pet partners are trained therapy animals and they love to read and listen to your stories. This can be a great experience for beginner readers to practice reading to build confidence in their phonics skills and reading speed. It  would even be an opportunity for more established readers to practice a speech or presentation if they tend to get anxious or nervous. You can find more information about dates and locations of upcoming Paws to Read Events on the KHCPL Website.

  • Databases for Children and Teens

    • Knowledge is power and your Kokomo-Howard County Public Library card gives you access to multiple apps and online databases where youth can learn new things, get paired with an online tutor, or get access to even more books and literature. Users can explore a selection of these resources on the KHCPL Website. For help avoiding the summer slide, we’d recommend learning about BrainFuse, ABC Mouse, Math is Fun and Scholastic Teachables.

Local Tutoring Services

There may be many local people that offer tutoring services, but the following persons were offering tutoring services to the public. You can contact your student’s school or teacher for additional  tutoring recommendations.

  • Learn Smart Educational Services

    • Learn Smart Educational Services is a student-led free tutoring service that is accepting new students. This service specializes in math tutoring and homework help for Grades 6-8, but offers assistance with any subject. Tutoring sessions are held at the south branch of the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library. To set up a tutoring session or learn more information you can message Learn Smart Education Services through their Facebook Page or texting (765) 559-1828.

  • Morgan Rupert

    • Rupert offers one-on-one tutoring to any student and will focus on growth in a single subject or multiple. She most commonly tutors students in math and reading with  building reading skills being a major focus at all times. She is currently accepting new students and meets for work in local public places like the main location of the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library. You can contact Rupert for more information about rates and availability by phone at 765-860-5966.

Additional Online Resources

Since school closures during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the National Summer Learning Association gathered a master list of online resources, apps, websites, and programs that can be helpful for students, families, or communities looking to help students grow academically during summer vacation. Most of these options are available to users at no cost.

Alli Lee
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