Three School Superintendents Receive Summer Matters Superhero Award

MONTEREY, Calif. - Feb. 1, 2018 - PRLog -- Three school superintendents were recently honored with a Summer Matters Superhero Award for their efforts to support and expand summer learning programs for youth in their districts. Rich DuVarney of Tehama County Department of Education, Dr. John García Jr. of Downey Unified School District, and Dr. Cesar Morales of Oxnard Elementary School District were recognized on Thurs., Jan. 25, 2018 during a gathering of the Association of California State Administrators (ACS) Superintendent's Symposium at the Monterey Convention Center.

The Summer Matters Superhero Award was established in 2013 by the Summer Matters campaign, which supports access to high quality summer learning opportunities for students in California. The award highlights efforts by superintendents to provide quality programs that help children living in low-resource communities avoid the devastating effects of summer learning loss. Awardees are nominated by summer learning stakeholders from throughout the state, and selected by Summer Matters.

"Summer is a time for kids to learn new things, expand their horizons, and discover new talents, skills, and relationships. – It's a time for learning to be fun," said Jennifer Peck, President and CEO of the Partnership for Children and Youth, a nonprofit that works to ensure all children have the learning, health, and social supports they need to succeed in school and life. "School district leaders have the power to make this possible for kids, and we must recognize those who step up to make sure every child has a great summer and bright future," added Peck.

Support and funding for summer learning programs are on the upswing the last few years thanks to a boost in state dollars directed toward education, program awareness, and research showing that summer learning loss is responsible for two-thirds of the achievement gap and that the "opportunity gap" has far reaching effects for low-income youth, contributing to gaps in student achievement, employment, college, and career success. A 2017-2018 LCAP Analysis by the Partnership for Children and Youth identified a 10% budget increase for Expanded Learning Programs (ELPs), which include summer, after-school, intersession, extra-curricular, and other student remediation and enrichment programs.

"The documented reduction in summer learning loss, the number of nourishing meals served, and the experiences enjoyed in robust summer programs for students who otherwise would likely not get those opportunities, is a moral imperative," said Mike Berg, a former Superhero Award recipient and retired superintendent who presented this year's award. "Summer Matters Superhero Award recipients are people who put energy and resources into summer enrichment, not because they have to, but because they are convinced that EVERY child matters and every child can succeed with the right support and foundation," added Berg.

In today's environment, to succeed in school students need support beyond what a typical school day offers. Programs must be creative and innovative in order to keep students challenged, engaged, and excited about school, which, through their unique programs, and ongoing commitment to students, the Summer Matters Superhero awardees achieved.

Rich Du Varney of Tehama County Department of Education and one of the three honorees, keeps kids reading and actively engaged throughout the summer in order to prevent "summer slide" – the time of year when kids fall behind in their academic achievement levels unless they're enrolled in summer learning enrichment programs.

In Downey Unified School District, Dr. John García challenged his Board of Education to think outside the box with regard to summer learning programs. Since the program's creation, García has consistently set aside LCAP monies for programs, and has presented about the importance of summer learning programs at statewide conferences. García has built a full-day program focused on academics in the morning, and enrichment in the afternoon. "As a district with many students who would otherwise not be able to experience a camp "type" environment, I appreciate that our Board of Education challenged us as a staff to create and implement an engaging program that combats summer learning loss in our most vulnerable students," said Garcia. "This recognition acknowledges the constant effort put forth to address the needs of ALL students each and every day," he added.

Dr. Cesar Morales of Oxnard Elementary School District set aside nearly $1 million to operate a five-week summer learning program to serve students in need. As a dedicated coordinator, whose job is to develop expanded learning opportunities for youth, Dr. Morales has secured a summer feeding program operated at several Writing and Science Camp locations.

"I believe summer matters, because every child deserves to have a future full of possibility – and it's clear to me that the path to this future includes summer learning opportunities," said Peck.

         For more information about summer learning programs, Summer Matters, and/ or interviews, please contact Evelyn G. Alemán at (818) 881-7976 (office) or via e-mail at evelyn@mipr.net. You can also visit www.summermatters.net.

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