Akron.com

APS taking steps to avoid ‘summer slide’



DOWNTOWN AKRON — The “summer slide” sounds like a good name for a TikTok dance, but it’s how educators describe the period during summer break when students slide backward in their reading and math skills, and Akron Public Schools (APS) is doing its best to combat it.
During the June 22 virtual meeting of the APS Board of Education, Executive Director of Elementary Education Mary Outley-Kelly, Executive Director of Secondary Education Mark Black and Community Relations Director Carla Chapman shared information about free online resources for students to keep their educational momentum going over summer break and avoid the summer slide.
“I want to thank [Superintendent] Dr. [David] James and our board members for the funding allocation and your support,” said Outley-Kelly. “Due to all of this, we are able to provide the program … at no cost to our families.”
When students turn on their school-provided Chromebooks, they will find details about online programs on the landing page. The district is providing teacher-led math and reading classes for all students, from incoming kindergarten students to high school seniors, as well as Akron After School and special education programs. They can be viewed at bit.ly/3dr5f5B.
For high school students, the Plato credit recovery program allows non-graduating seniors to complete their graduation requirements, as well as rising seniors who are credit deficient and want to get back on track. Kent State University is partnering with APS for a Virtual Public Health Academy this summer, and a camp for cosmetology students starts July 6.
APS is expecting to participate in Get2School, a program aimed at tackling chronic absenteeism. It is sponsored by The Cleveland Browns Foundation, the Ohio Department of Education and Providing Ground, a program through Harvard University.
Also during the board meeting, members expressed condolences to the family of 18-year-old Na’Kia Crawford, who was shot and killed around 1:25 p.m. June 14 in the area of East North and North Howard streets, according to the Akron Police Department (APD).
Crawford, a recent North High School graduate who was planning to attend Central State University to study computer science, was running errands with her grandmother at the time of the shooting, and APD officials have said they believe the shooter targeted Crawford by mistake. As of June 23, one individual involved in the shooting was still sought by the APD and U.S. Marshals Service’s Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, and two other suspects turned themselves in to the APD.
“We will never know what Na’Kia Crawford might have done in or after college,” said James in a June 15 statement. “She is our second student in a week to die a violent death. The flame of her candle went out way too early. To make it to her high school graduation, with plans for her future, especially during this difficult time of COVID-19, just stings that much more. The heartache is real for those of us left behind to pick up the pieces.”
In the wake of Crawford’s death, grief counseling for students can be arranged by calling North High School at 330-761-2665.
James also said there will be a special board meeting June 29 to discuss the reopening of schools in the fall.
“I’m hoping that we’ll hear from the governor this week about the state plan for reopening and the directions that will be given to us,” James said. “Regardless if whether that happens or not, we’ll be presenting our options for how school will be open.”
Board members also approved the following:
• the reclassification of Brittany Berkey as special education coordinator;
• the employment of Adam Klimas as dean of students at Windemere Community Learning Center (CLC);
• the reclassification of Angela Miller as assistant principal at Jennings CLC ;
• $65,670 in GAR Foundation Educator Initiative Grants to support increased student performance at six APS schools; and
• a memorandum of understanding between the board and the Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 689 regarding the I PROMISE School hiring process.
The next regular APS virtual board meeting is scheduled for July 13 at 5:30 p.m. For details, visit bit.ly/2V8oNVk.