Echo Lake Elementary Library fights "summer slide" with open hours

Kids and parents at Echo Lake open library
Photo by Barbara Cruz

"Summer Slide," according to Echo Lake Elementary Librarian Dennis Day, is what happens when kids go all summer without reading and their skills drop.

"Research shows reading as few as four books over the summer can help prevent a summer slide, and allow students to maintain the gains they achieved during the school year."

That's why the Echo Lake Elementary Library will be open for 16 sessions this summer on eight different days.

Story time at the library this summer
Photo by Barbara Cruz

On each of eight days, the library will be open in the morning from 10am - 12noon, with a program at 10:30am and in the evening from 6pm - 7:30pm, with a program at 6:30pm. Full schedule here.

On some days, readers will be given surprises, and on all days they will be able to check out books to take home. 

All students have to be accompanied by an adult.

Children check out books to take home
Photo by Barbara Cruz

On the first day, June 25th, principal Andrew Lohman was the guest reader in the morning and all the kids got free popsicles. In the evening session, Mrs. McCormick was the guest reader, and every child who checked out a book got a free Beanie Baby.

About 50 students attended, including five incoming Kindergarten students. Barbara Cruz, Library Tech, and volunteer Carol Delsuc are able to work with the kids and do KidBiz and Reading Counts tests.  

Said Cruz, "I love doing this and seeing the students' faces when they get that just right book. It is so rewarding!"

A book AND a beanie baby!
Photo by Barbara Cruz

Scheduled library days at Echo Lake are:

• July 9
• July 16
• July 23
• July 30
• Aug 6
• Aug 13
• Aug 20