The JSEL day began with breakfast
July 28, 2014, LAKEWOOD, CO ~ What would make a teacher give up summer vacation — away from the stress of a classroom full of rambunctious elementary school students? That is what I went to find out when I toured Swanson Elementary School in Arvada. Swanson was one of the six Jeffco schools that piloted Jeffco Summer of Early Literacy (JSEL), a program of Jeffco Schools Foundation. This year Swanson was able to offer the program to 4th through 6th graders, as well as its K through 3rd grade classes.
JSEL completed its 3rd year of a five-year program that provided intensive literacy instruction to struggling readers at low-income neighborhood schools. The program has shown to increase reading proficiency, get students to grade-level literacy benchmarks and prevent summer literacy loss.
Valerie Cordova has one-on-one time with one of her students.
The day began with breakfast, which was free for students and attending parent; a 3 hour literacy block followed and the day concluded with lunch. I was able to talk to several parents who expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to enroll their student in the JSEL Program. One father spoke of his son’s enthusiasm. “More fun than Waterworld” the kid said. When Friday came, the child wondered why he couldn’t attend on Saturday.
Swanson Principal, Carla Endsley, reviews a student’s work.
Lessons and exercises use this year’s JSEL theme, which was deep sea animals and water experiences with opportunities to tour the Denver Aquarium and Wildlife Experience.
I asked a teacher why she would give up her summer to help struggling learners. The answer was simple. “Because that is what I do.”
For more information contact: Anton Delgado, 303-982-2212 or adelgado@jeffco,k12.co.us
or visit: www.jeffcoschoolsfoundation.org