For most people, a summer slide conjures images of smiling kids running up a ladder and then flying down a slide in the backyard, on the beach, or at an awesome water park. A slide represents the best of summer.

In academic terms, summer slide has a negative connotation. It refers in large part to the loss in reading ability that occurs when students do not read over the summer. Without summer reading, it is not uncommon for a student to experience a two month loss in reading ability. Summer slide has also been identified as a primary cause of the academic achievement gap. As you can imagine, we can't bear to think of students sliding backwards over the summer because they don't have appropriate reading materials or because they can't afford to attend academic summer camps.

FLITE has worked hard all year to have the funds and programs in place to help our students enhance achievement over the summer. Please review the opportunities outlined below. If you know of a student who might benefit from one of FLITE's Summer Reading Programs, please encourage them to get in touch with their guidance counselor.

We hope you enjoy a summer filled with sunny days and lots of good books.
 

Happy Reading,

Delaware Valley Friends School Summer Reading Program- This 5 week summer program is for middle and high school students who struggle to read at grade level. Students benefit from intense, consistent, individualized reading instruction.

Green Valley Academy Summer Academic Program- a summer program for rising fourth through sixth graders. Half-day classes are taught by certified teachers during a six-week program and include reading, writing, math, science, social studies and social skills.

Library Summer Reading Books- supplements Easttown Library's collection of summer reading books that are required by the middle and high schools. This program provides increased access to summer reading for all students in the district so students do not need to purchase their books.

Reading Adventure Packs- a pre-kindergarten reading program that supplies students in the T/E School District Summer Reading Program with a pack of books and associated activities for each of the four weeks they attend. The goal of this program is to provide pre-K students with quality, age appropriate books to read at home.

Summer Reading Books- for those middle and high school students who are financially unable to purchase their own summer reading books, this program provides books to students via the guidance counselors.

Additional Summer Camp Opportunities- scholarship funding is available for eligible students in the middle and high schools to attend summer programs that will reinforce academic skills and/or encourage leadership qualities.

Maintaining academic skills over the summer can be vital to the success of students during the school year. We encourage students to take advantage of FLITE Summer Programs. Talk to your child's guidance counselor to find out about recommended programs that can benefit your child. 

The FLITE-funded Schools Supplies Program provides funds for quality backpacks and flash drives provided by T & E Care to students who would otherwise struggle to purchase needed supplies. To support this grant, we invite you to visit www.flite-pa.org and make a donation to FLITE. For information about the T&E Care school supply drive, visit www.tecare.org or contact your child's guidance counselor.

Staff Tributes

As the school year comes to a close, you can honor a special teacher, coach, or school nurse by making a tax deductible donation to FLITE. Staff Tributes are a meaningful way to thank the dedicated individuals who have worked tirelessly all year to help your children succeed in school. Honorees will receive a personalized card notifying them of your thoughtful donation.

At the recent board meeting, a new slate of officers was elected.

Chair- Rachel Gibbs

Vice Chair- Betsy Fadem

Secretary- Mary Guyer

Treasurer- Gretchen Guttman

Assistant Treasurer- Cathy McNamara

The following were elected to the Board of Trustees: Vijay Aggarwal, Cathy McNamara, Karen Reaume, and Tom Tobin.

Elected to the Advisory Board: Anne Bondi, Renee Del Viscio, Susan Guy, John O'Connor, Kevin Pechin and Katie Wylonis

We look forward to working with the new officers as they begin their term on July 1st. We want to thank the outgoing officers and board members for the valuable contributions they have made to FLITE during their tenure. We appreciate all the hours and effort spent to benefit the students in the T/E School District.

We give special thanks and recognition to our outgoing Chair, Meg Born. Under Meg's leadership, we re-examined our mission statement, refined our goals and strategy for the future, and have expanded our reach in the community. Meg challenged us to work harder and continually inspired us to strengthen our program base for the T/E kids who need our support. Thank you, Meg, for your steady guidance and insightful direction. We are most grateful you will continue to share your passion for education in another role at FLITE.