District outlines Summer Advantage reading intervention: three weeks, targeted students, free transportation
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Sign Up Free
Summary
Kirkland director Betsy Gann briefed the board on the Summer Advantage program, a three‑week, morning-only reading intervention for students with Reading Improvement and Monitoring Plans (RIMPs); invitations go out to eligible families with RSVPs due May 15.
Bellbrook-Sugarcreek officials described the district's Summer Advantage reading program at the April 10 Board of Education meeting, explaining the program's structure, eligibility and expected outcomes.
Betsy Gann, director at Kirkland, told the board Summer Advantage runs three weeks, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon, beginning July 14, 2025. The program targets students identified through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Reading Improvement and Monitoring (RIM) plans — that is, students already receiving targeted reading intervention during the school year. Families invited to participate must RSVP by May 15; invitations will be sent to targeted families after staffing is confirmed.
Gann said the program uses instruction grounded in the science of reading, focuses on the “big five” components (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension), and uses short pre- and post-assessments to tailor instruction. She described small class sizes, instructional aides, and multisensory methods to address specific skill gaps. The district will track growth during the three-week session and share results with families and fall teachers.
The board heard that Summer Advantage is free to participants. In past years the district has provided limited transportation (two buses in 2024); transportation availability will be offered again if needed. A program coordinator and reading specialist support logistics and instructional continuity. Gann said families typically accept invitations for just over half the spots, and the district plans staffing accordingly.
Board members thanked staff and recognized the program as a preventive strategy to limit “summer slide” and to support younger readers before critical reading development periods.