Registration Begins for VVSD Summer Learning Experience

With the cold, harsh reality of winter not far away, is preparing to bring a fresh, warm ray of sunlight into the lives of children who will be in kindergarten through fifth grades next fall.

It’s called VVSD’s “Summer Learning Experience,” a new way for youngsters, regardless of where they live or what school they attend, to spend their summer weekdays learning while having lots of fun. And the only way to guarantee a slot in the program is to pre-register by Dec. 15.

“All too often, by taking 10 or 12 weeks off for summer vacation, an elementary school-age child has difficulty retaining everything he or she learns the previous nine months,” said VVSD Assistant Superintendent Venus Smith. “Not anymore. Not with Summer Learning Experience.”

The Summer Learning Experience concept is a simple one: Using exciting hands-on materials and techniques, the “best-of-the-best” certified teachers will provide age-appropriate reading and math skills enhancement in special slots throughout the day. Students will also participate in a wide variety of summer fun activities when they’re not working on their math and reading skills. 

Two 4-week sessions are scheduled from June 18 to July 13 and from July 16 to Aug. 19. Each day will consist of two sessions, one from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and the other from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Free breakfast and lunch are included in the fee.

“Children can attend one 4-week session or both. They can attend the morning or the afternoon session…or both,” Smith said. “Parents can pick and choose the plan that best suits their work and at-home schedules.”

While the cost of the program depends on how many children sign up, VVSD is counting on charging somewhere between $50 and $99 a week per child for the all-day Summer Learning Experience. Before-school care starting as early as 6:30 a.m. and after-school care until as late as 6:30 p.m. will be available for an extra fee.

The locations of Summer Learning Experience will also depend on how many children sign up with as few as two elementary school sites and as many as all 12 elementary school sites under consideration. Also under consideration is providing bus transportation for children who live within VVSD boundaries. But that would come at an additional cost as well.

“We expect our slots in this program to fill up quickly,” Smith said. “That’s why it’s important to reserve a slot now by filling out our pre-registration form.”

Pre-registration forms are being mailed to every Bolingbrook and Romeoville resident this week. They are also available on-line at www.summerfun.vvsd.org. The website can be viewed in both English and Spanish.

Anyone with questions may also call the Summer Learning Experience “hotline” at 815-886-2700. Dial extension 800 for English or 801 for Spanish.