Seaside Teaching and Reaching Children (STARS)

Seaside United Methodist Church is hosting a six week summer program June 29th through August 7th. In collaboration with the Brunswick County Department of Elementary Education, Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary was chosen as the school to be served, with 26 rising second and third graders as the targeted age group. The STARS (Seaside Teaching and Reaching Students) 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 Master Teacher and Assistant with no more than a 10:1 student/teacher ratio. Student success will be measured by end of school year/end of STARS program progress.
• 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 by all volunteers – giving all of our church “family” members a chance to be “family” to our children.
• Parent Involvement: Each week STARS will host 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.