Latest news with #SummerReadingProgram
Chicago Tribune
07-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Enrollment fair, summer library programs, soil tour
The Gary Community School Corporation (GCSC) will host its Back-to-School Uniform Voucher Enrollment Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Thursday at West Side Leadership Academy, 900 Gerry St., Gary. This fair is designed to ease preparations for the upcoming school year, and to provide families access to essential resources in one convenient location. During the event, families will be able to receive their uniform vouchers from Calumet Township, eliminating the need to stand in long lines. The fair will also feature a broad range of resources to jumpstart school preparations. Highlighting the event, GCSC has partnered with NorthShore Health to provide free physical exams and additional health services to families at no cost. For more information about the fair and enrollment, contact the GCSC Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department at 219-881-5466. The annual Summer Reading Program, 'Color Our World,' for students in pre-school through 12th grade continues until July 26 at all units of the Gary Public Library. Complete rules and sign-up sheets are available at all library branches or on the library's website, The July MakerSpace schedule is now available on the library's website. Call 219-886-2484, Ext. 332 to register. MakerSpace sessions are held at the Main Library, 220 W. Fifth Ave. 'Business Basics' will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. beginning Tuesday at the Woodson Branch, 501 S. Lake St. Presented by Jackie DeRosa, each week will feature a different topic to help participants learn what it takes to build a business from the ground up. Basic lessons in etiquette for grade school and middle school students will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Main Library. Presented by Shakinah S. Bullock, CEO of the Charmed I'm Sure Etiquette Program, lessons will feature table setting, in-school manners, courtesy and much more. Space is limited. For more information, call Children's Services at 219-886-2484, Ext. 104. The monthly Chess Tournament will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday at the Main Library. The event is free, and all ages are welcome. Games are 30 minutes. The public is invited to two programs presented by the Save the Dunes organization at the Main Library: in conjunction with the Summer Reading Program, there will be stories, a slide show and activities for children from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. July 17; and Em Racine of Save the Dunes will host a presentation about the Indiana Dunes National Park from 5 to 6:30 p.m. July 24. New Summer Hours at the branches continue through Aug. 9. Summer hours for both Woodson Branch, 501 S. Lake St., and Kennedy Branch, 3953 Broadway, are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday, closed Friday. The hours at the Main Library remain the same, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. More information is at 219-886-2484. Two Hearts Homes for Seniors, Indiana's first family-owned assisted living, invites the community to an open house from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at 1600 Feather Rock Drive, Crown Point. A community resource fair will be featured during the open house. Guests will enjoy refreshments, tour the home, and meet the McCracken family, owners and founders of Two Hearts Homes for Seniors. The event celebrates the company's fifth anniversary of the first Two Hearts Home in Lowell. Experts in senior care, including representatives from hospice, palliative care, and home care companies, will be present to answer questions. The McCracken family and Two Hearts staff will be available to speak about the personalized care model and daily life in the homes. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet residents and their families to hear firsthand what life is like at Two Hearts. In addition to full-time residential care, Two Hearts offers half-day and full-day senior daycare options at both locations. Two Hearts Homes for Seniors has been honored with both the Residential Assisted Living (RAL) Industry Innovator and RAL Home Certification awards. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 219-600-2200. Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Superior Construction Co. Inc. will close U.S. 12 under Ind. 249 beginning on or after Monday, July 14. U.S. 12 will first be closed in the eastbound direction for approximately three days. Traffic going eastbound on U.S. 12 will be diverted to southbound Ind. 249 and can use the official detour of U.S. 20 and Ind. 149. Traffic will have access to eastbound U.S. 12 from northbound Ind. 249. U.S. 12 will then be closed in the westbound direction for approximately three days on or after Thursday, July 17. The official detour will follow Ind. 149 and U.S. 20. Westbound U.S. 12 will have access to northbound Ind. 249 (Port of Indiana) but not southbound Ind. 249. Work will be confined to the area between the U.S. 12 ramps to and from Ind. 249. These closures are for beam setting for the Ind. 249 bridge replacement project over U.S. 12. The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County will host their next Household Hazardous Waste Collection event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19 at Boone Grove High School, 260 S 500 W, Boone Grove. Participants are asked to enter at 500 W. Residents can safely dispose of products containing corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive substances. Common household hazardous waste items include antifreeze, motor oil, batteries (household and automotive), fluorescent bulbs, paints, deck stains, pool chemicals, pesticides and household smoke detectors. Items that are not accepted at this event are electronics, grill propane cylinders and large containers over 55 gallons in size. Visit for a complete list of accepted items. For more information, call 219-465-3694 or email info@ The Gary/Merrillville Soil tour for farmers and gardeners is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. July 29. Bus transportation will be provided to the program locations, which will be disclosed closer to the date of the event. Led by Lake County Soil Health Improvement Program, a partnership between Purdue Extension Lake County, Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District, Urban Soil Health and local farms, participants will see real-life demonstrations about using soil health practices such as cover crops, mulching, native plants and composting from local gardeners working with Gary/Merrillville soils. Light refreshments will be provided. Register by July 15 at For more information, for accommodations to attend, or for special dietary needs, contact Rebecca Koetz by July 15 at 219-755-3240 or email busser@
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Columbus schools, library team up to fight summer literacy slide
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Many students love getting a break from school during the summer months, but it's an easy time for children to fall behind in their literacy and comprehension skills. Children nationwide continue to make up for time lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, making it even more important to stay on track with their reading during summer break. School districts and libraries in central Ohio are still working to close that learning gap. 'Some of the things that happened during COVID prevented our students from those outside learning experiences, those hands-on experiences, so we're seeing some gaps with that knowledge base and that experience within comprehension,' Columbus City Schools Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Kelly Rivers said. Columbus Recreation and Parks offers 'Go, Lunch!' summer program Rivers said simply reading interesting books during the months off is an important step toward improving critical literacy skills. 'Summer learning is one of the most critical points of an entire year, and we don't want to lose sight of that,' she said. Columbus City Schools has created specific programs to help with reading comprehension during the school year and the summer. Besides those programs, Rivers encourages parents and caregivers to visit the Columbus Metropolitan Library, whose Summer Reading Program is aimed at helping kids keep up with literacy skills. 'Taking two months off of anything can be really hard to maintain that level and keep it a strong skill,' Columbus Metropolitan Library Public Services Director Miya Reyes said. Reyes said the loss of those reading skills during the summer slide, putting children at a disadvantage in the fall. Final full moon of Spring, the 'Strawberry Moon,' glows over central Ohio 'Reading is a tough skill, whether it's somebody who's already been reading or they're learning to read, and it can be something that's difficult to learn to do,' Reyes said. 'I think one of the most important things about it is to make it fun.' Whether students get extra reading help and encouragement through their school districts, local libraries or right at home, there are many resources available to parents and guardians to keep their children on track this time of year. 'Reading with your child, giving them opportunities, taking notice of inquiry and things that can increase the learning process, all those things help to decrease those summer learning gaps,' Rivers said. 'Books are so important,' Reyes said. 'Access to books, access to information can only come from being able to read that material yourself over time.' How a small town was revamped into 'Ohio's most loveable downtown' Rivers and Reyes both said literacy is everywhere and practicing can be as easy as reading street signs with children, reading labels on products at the grocery store or checking out a book that interests them. To sign up for the Summer Reading Program or learn more about it, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Furry friends help kids practice reading skills at Sioux City library
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — A local library is continuing a yearly program that uses special canine listeners to help children practice their reading skills. The 'Read-To-Me-Dogs' event is a part of the Sioux City Public Library's Summer Reading Program. Children are able to practice their reading skills with the help of gentle canine listeners. Every child was able to read to a specially trained therapy dog for 5-6 minutes. At one point on Tuesday, almost 50 kids were in attendance. Story continues below Top Story: Recent incident at Sac County Jail highlights need for new facility Lights & Sirens: Suspect shot at during pursuit in stolen vehicle, Dakota Co Sheriff says Sports: West Sioux boys soccer wins first-ever IHSAA State title with 2-1 OT win Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here Library officials said this event give children a chance to read at a time when they're not focused on school. 'We know that during the summer it's really important for kids to read because they've gotten that reading proficiency during the school year and when they're home during the summer, we want to keep them reading. So this is a great way for them to come in, practice their reading and keep on reading and maybe a great way just to read out loud,' said Carol Harder, library assistant at Sioux City Public Library. The public library has been holding the 'Read-To-Me-Dogs' event for nearly 20 years. The event is being held every Tuesday from 2-3 p.m. until July 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Senator Webb launches summer reading program
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Senator Lea Webb is encouraging school-age children to strengthen their reading skills with the return of a summer reading initiative. Webb launched her Summer Reading Program last week. School aged children from across New York Senate District 52 are invited to participate. This year's program is themed Color our World: Colorea Nuestro Mundo. The program is designed to keep children's reading skills sharp during the summer months by making reading a steady habit. Senator Webb says she supports educational development and hopes to provide an enjoyable and productive activity for students while they are out of school. 'I'm thrilled to launch this year's Summer Reading Program, Color our World: Colorea Nuestro Mundo,' said Webb. 'Reading has the power to open doors, ignite imagination, and connect us across cultures and communities. Through this program, I want to inspire young minds from every corner of Senate District 52 to explore new worlds through books, build their confidence, and celebrate their creativity.' Children who read three books and submit information about their readings will receive a Certificate of Achievement from Webb. Parents and guardians from across New York State are encouraged to enroll their children in the activity by filling out a short form detailing the books read by their child this summer. The submission form is available online at The deadline for submission is August 22. BPD investigating non-fatal shooting of a Binghamton woman Senator Webb launches summer reading program VOTE: Best Pizza in Greater Binghamton Medina High School Wins 5 Major Awards in 76th Annual Pageant of Bands Road Closure in Johnson City This Week Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Peoria library's summer reading program: Fun and prizes await
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)–Peoria Public Library summer reading program starts by picking up a bingo card and ends with a couple parties in traditionally quiet places. Elise Hearn, Manager of Programming at Peoria Public Library, and Jennifer Davis, Manager of Public Relations stopped by WMBD This Morning to talk more about the program. The theme of the annual program is 'Level Up,' a nod to gaming. People can jump in the game at any time by picking up a 'bingo card' at any Peoria Public Library. Once complete, that card becomes a ticket to the parties. Davis said there are many ways to fill a spot on the bingo card and there are engaging options for people of all ages as well as families. 'We actually have two parties this year. We'll be at the Riverfront Museum on Wednesday July 16. We'll take over the entire museum that evening,' Hearn said. The museum party is for families. The party on July 18, is at the Main Library, and for adults only. That one includes live music, and a D-J and prizes. Some of the prizes people are eligible to win upon completion of the program include a Nintendo Switch, a virtual reality headset, gift cards and more. People can also attend either party for $5 if they don't have a bingo card. The Summer Reading Program started June 2 and runs through July 15. Get all the details about the Peoria Public Library Summer Reading Program on their web site. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
