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Students in Nicole McPherson’s first grade class at Fort Fairfield Elementary School show off backpacks of books and reading activities they received June 1, 2018 as part of United’s Summer Slide program Way of Aroostook. The program encourages students to maintain their reading skills over the summer by reading additional books, completing activity sheets and becoming eligible for prizes. (Melissa Lizotte)
Students in Nicole McPherson’s first grade class at Fort Fairfield Elementary School show off backpacks of books and reading activities they received June 1, 2018 as part of United’s Summer Slide program Way of Aroostook. The program encourages students to maintain their reading skills over the summer by reading additional books, completing activity sheets and becoming eligible for prizes. (Melissa Lizotte)
United Way of Aroostook and Katahdin Trust Company are teaming up again for the Summer Slide Reading Program.
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — United Way of Aroostook and Katahdin Trust Company are teaming up again for the Summer Slide Reading Program.
The program encourages early readers to continue reading throughout the summer to help them stay engaged in learning and sharpen their reading skills over the summer break. This will be the sixth year that the bank has supported this program.
“We are proud to partner with United Way of Aroostook on the Summer Slide program,” said Krista Putnam, executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “After the education transformation that happened last year, we believe this program is more important than ever to keep kids engaged in learning over the summer.”
This year, 635 bags containing books, activities and other fun items were distributed to first graders at 20 schools in the Aroostook County area by United Way. This program will keep children on their reading streak and help prevent the typical “summer slide” that can occur once children finish the school year.
“Reading during the summer holidays may not be a priority for children, but we want to encourage parents to make it one. Summer reading is essential to a child’s ability to not only retain information learned the previous year, but also to develop knowledge and critical thinking skills for the year ahead,” said Sarah Ennis , Executive Director of United Way of Aroostook.
“We are grateful for this annual partnership with Katahdin Trust to help prevent the summer slide that can occur. It puts books in the hands of every first grader to ensure that all children have books available to read. at their reading level.
United Way of Aroostook is dedicated to improving the education and future of Aroostook County’s youngest citizens through the Summer Slide program as well as several other United Way programs like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Stuff the Bus.
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