The spark of joyful learning continues this month as nearly 200 second and third-grade students participate in the Read to Achieve Camp at Granite Falls Elementary, Davenport A+, or Hudson Elementary. Each site has an average of 60 students attending.
During the engaging three-week camp beginning on June 13, students focus primarily on phonics and reading comprehension. They arrive at 8 am Monday through Friday, and are immersed in grade-specific literacy programs and activities until dismissal time at 2:30 pm.
“Summer Camp is so much more than just reading,” said Caitly Council, Granite Falls Elementary teacher. “We have been working on phonemic awareness, fluency, as well as comprehension. Students seem to enjoy working together and encouraging one another.”
Besides building reading skills, the camp offers discovery and interaction through daily STEM activities. Students are also provided breakfast and lunch at no cost to families. School bus transportation is available as needed.
The goal of the North Carolina Read to Achieve Program is to ensure that every student reads at or above grade level by the end of the third grade and continues to progress in reading proficiency. Third graders will be retested on the state standardized reading test in their final week of camp.
Of the students invited to attend the Read to Achieve Summer Camp, Site Coordinator Courtney Saunders said it helps them to continue to grow in their reading development and to be better prepared for the upcoming school year.
The three camps, led by assistant principals Tracy Harris (Davenport A+), Matt Ross (Hudson Elementary), and Courtney Saunders (Granite Falls Elementary) serve students from all elementary schools in the district.