For the fourth year, Seaside United Methodist Church is hosting a six-week summer reading program for children. The 2017 program runs from June 26th through August 4th. With the strong financial support of the Duke Endowment and numerous local donors, STARS provides students at-risk of falling behind in reading and opportunity for intensive development of reading skills coupled with fun enrichment activities in a loving and supportive atmosphere. In collaboration with the Brunswick County Department of Elementary Education, Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary has again been chosen as the school to be served, with approximately 25 rising second and third graders selected as STARS (Seaside Teaching and Reaching Students) Scholars. The STARS Program is comprised of three areas of focus:
Literacy: The morning sessions are focused on literacy using an accelerated learning approach to not only prevent summer learning loss but to better position students for the coming year. These sessions will be taught by a Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary School Master Teacher and Assistant with no more than a 10:1 student/teacher ratio. Student success will be shown by the progress made by the end of the STARS Program and at the end of school year.
Enrichment: The afternoon portion of the program provides opportunity to focus on music, art, science, and physical activities that are age appropriate for our kids. Field trips offer many choices of things to do and experience. Our community response has been positive in support of STARS. The afternoon program will be staffed primarily by volunteers, giving all of our church “family” members a chance to be “family” to our children.
Parent Involvement: Each Monday night STARS hosts a dinner workshop for the parents. The entire family, including siblings, are invited to the dinner. The workshop is planned and taught by the Master Teachers, using the learning material for the current week to equip the parents to be ongoing learning partners in the home, beyond the six-week program. The meals are prepared and hosted by various congregational groups within Seaside UMC.
Our theme this year is “Oh, the Places You Will Go” – based on the children’s book by Dr. Seuss. In addition to continuing their educational development, students will have the opportunity to expand their horizons by learning about new and exciting places around North Carolina. If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact Meg Good, STARS Program Director, at megood@seasideumc.org.