LUM Students Continue to Learn All Summer Long
A Letter from LUM Executive Director - Joe Micon
When elementary students return to school in August, many of them —  especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds —  will be starting the academic year with achievement levels lower than where they were at the beginning of their summer break.
This phenomenon, often referred to as summer learning loss, summer setback, or summer slide, has been a long-time concern for us at LUM. If quality education is a child’s ticket out of a life of poverty, too many of those we serve are being left behind at the station. Educational research offers a “faucet theory” for why lower-income students lose learning in math, science and reading over the summer. According to the theory, the “resource faucet” is on for all students during the school year, enabling all students to make learning gains.
 
Over the summer however, the flow of resources slows to a trickle for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.  Their more affluent peers continue to have access to financial and human capital, such as parental education and involvement, which enables them to continue to learn. That’s why the Lafayette Urban Ministry has been so committed to our 5th Quarter Summer Learning Retention Program .  The program is held Monday through Friday, from June 1st through August 10th, at Central Presbyterian Church’s education building in downtown Lafayette. This summer, LUM has enrolled more than 50 children.
 
Each day begins with a nutritious snack, recreational reading and a fun gathering session for our students, teachers and volunteers. Then it is on to learning groups in math, science, social studies and language arts. Each subject is taught through a combination of classroom and online study. There are weekly field trips to the public library, Purdue University and other locations where our students learn and experience new things. We have scheduled a full summer of engaging speakers and enrichment activities that make learning at 5th Quarter fun. 
Last week, we combined reading about Mozart, Beethoven and Wagner with audio samples of their compositions (pictured above). In partnership with Purdue Extension, our students have planted and are tending a summer flower and vegetable garden. This year, the LUM 5th Quarter staff has partnered with faculty and students from the Purdue College of Education to enhance our curricula and boost the quality of our students’ learning.
 
I am so pleased with the quality of the LUM 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program . I am encouraged by the positive feedback we have received from the children’s parents and classroom teachers. More than anything else, I am proud of the accomplishments of our 5th Quarter students….
 
  • Like 8 year-old Isaiah, whose mom is incarcerated this summer serving an addiction-related sentence. He is excelling in multiplication.
  • Like Crystal & Jeremy who live with their grandma. She works each weekday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. as a maid for a Lafayette hotel just to make ends meet. They enjoy D.E.A.R. time - Drop Everything and Read!
  • Like 9 year-old Da’Ron who was able to pass his ISTEP re-test because of remediation that took place at LUM 5th Quarter.
 
It is costing LUM $31,416 to operate 5th Quarter this summer. Included in that amount are four teachers, our online learning software, program supplies, snacks and transportation to field trips. I am hoping you will join with me in helping to offset those costs.  Please, won’t you consider a generous gift of $50, $100, $250, $500, $1000, or more, to 5th Quarter?  Your support will help LUM to continue to offer this remarkable program that has proven so effective in reversing the summer learning slide for vulnerable children. Give a child a ticket to a brighter future.  Join me today in making a generous gift to the LUM 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program.
LUM 5th Quarter Students - Staying Engaged
Learning Opportunities & Study Trips - 2018
The students enrolled in the LUM 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program have had guest educators, taken study trips and have continued to tend to their vegetable garden.
The LUM 5th Quarter staff members have the children for five days a week, up to 12 hours a day. The LUM teachers and program director work hard to keep the students engaged in fun, experiential learning all day long. This year those programs have been as follows:
  • Science - Imagination Station - Study Trip
  • Science - Soilmaker - Study Trip
  • Science - Silly Safari with Amazon John - Library - Study Trip
  • Science & Nutrition - LUM Garden Project - On site program
  • Science - Art, Crafts & 4D Science - On site program
  • Science - Magic School Bus Science (Elmwood Youth) - On site program
  • Reading - Leonardo, Rockin’ & Reading - Library - Study Trip
  • Reading & Writing - Purdue College of Education - On site program
  • Reading - Rockin’ Readers Theatre - Library - Study Trip
  • Reading - Summer Reading - Library - Study Trip
  • Reading - Friday Visits to the Youth Room - Library - Study Trip
  • Music - Classical Composers & the Waltz - On site program
  • Music & Fitness - Fiddle ‘N’ Feet, Library - Study Trip
  • Art - Clay Art - Gail Johnson - On site program
  • Fitness & Dance - Van Underwood Stokes, Dancer - On site program
  • Magic - Rusty Ammerman’s Dimension of Illusion - Library - Study Trip

To view PHOTOS from some of these exciting programs, click HERE . If you would like to invest in our summer students, please make a donation today ( click below ). If you or your group wishes to volunteer — or sponsor an event or study trip for LUM students, please email or call Amanda Bajzatt, LUM Youth Programs Director ( abajzatt@lumserve.org | 765-423-2691).
Two LUM Executive Directors Connect in DC
Jud Dolphin & Joe Micon Meet in Washington DC
Joe Micon, current LUM executive director, recently visited with Jud Dolphin , immediate past LUM executive director, in Washington DC, the current residence for Jud.

The visit included in-depth conversations about issues facing the families served by LUM and a special visit to All Souls Church Unitarian . Joe and Jud attended service and visited with senior minist er, t he Rev. Dr. Robert M. Hardies. Joe Micon returned this week energized and ready to share what he learned on his trip with the LUM staff and board of directors. Special thanks to Jud Dolphin for his hospitality and to Rev. Hardies for his service and personal time.
{Pictured above L to R: Jud Dolphin, Robert Hardies & Joe Micon.}
Countdown to LUM Camp - Let Your Light Shine
LUM Camp 2018 Starts in 19 Days
It’s time again for  LUM Camp , and this year’s theme is  Let Your Light Shine !

LUM Camp is an overnight camp from July 31 - August 3  for boys and girls 8, 9 & 10 years old . Attending are children who are from families served by Lafayette Urban Ministry. Our camp is one of Indiana’s most well-respected summer camp programs for at-risk children.

This year as the theme  Let Your Light Shine!  indicates, the LUM Camper will learn about "light" and how to let their lights shine.

Each donation of $150 sends one local child to LUM Camp. Please, won’t you help build their futures by offering to them the gift of LUM Camp?
ALSO —  Would you, or someone you know, make a good  LUM Camp Counselor ?

Volunteer camp counselors must be at least 18 years old, enjoy working with children and be able to spend the entire week at camp. Counselors are needed from 11 a.m. Monday,  July 30  to 4 p.m. Friday,  August 3 . For additional information, click  HERE . PLEASE SHARE.
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