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Northwood School Laker

June 7, 2024

Preventing the Summer Slide - Activities to Stay Sharp!


Summer break is often a time for kids to recharge, kick back, relax, and embrace the kind of freedom that only comes with being young and having zero responsibilities. In last month’s Laker, we examined many non-academic ways to keep kids active and engaged during the summer months.  If you missed it, you can find it again here!  Unfortunately, this free time can also lead to something called the summer slide, a regression in academic skills due to non-reinforcement, and experts warn it is hindering kids’ progress when they head back to school.  In fact, studies have shown that students in grades 3rd - 5th lost, on average, 20% of school year gains in reading, and nearly 27% of school year gains in math (Kim, 2011).


This month, I would like to share with you some academic activities that can help your child maintain the skills they need to continue to strive into the next school year.  In this article, you can find a myriad of 10 different tips to help students stay on track in both reading and math.  Likewise, the Discovery Education website provides many different opportunities for reinforcing and enhancing academic skills for all ages and levels of learners!  Just have your child signup/log in with their school account/email and let the fun learning begin!!!  Check it out and help your child(ren) stay brain engaged this summer!


~ Mike Ling, Curriculum Director


Kim, J. (2011, April). Solving the Problem of Summer Reading Loss. Kappan Magazine, 92(N7), 64–67.

Summer Reading

A librarian from Chesley Memorial Library will visit with classes on Monday, June 17th to discuss the library's summer reading program. Here is a sneak peek at events:


Summer Reading Program 2024 Begins at Chesley Memorial LIbrary


Registration Opens June 17th


We will have two drawings:


1st Drawing, Monday, June 24th


2nd Drawing, Saturday, August 17th


Read ten books for a trampoline ticket!


Earn raffle tickets:

--One ticket for registering

--One ticket for each Bingo row completed

--Five tickets for the whole Bingo sheet

--One ticket for each share on our Adventure Wall (two with picture)


Earn tokens for each book read to fill the Summer Reading Program Challenge jug.

News from Kindergarten


This week we learned about the life cycle of frogs wrapped up as the kids acted out parts from the book Jump Frog Jump. We had fun acting out the book and learning all about frogs. We were so lucky to observe frogs in our classroom these past few weeks. 

Walking Club

Walking club has come to an end. Each morning we walked before school, ending with a total of 60 miles walked! Great job morning walkers!

School & Community Information

Guest Teachers Needed

If you are interested in being a guest teacher (also known as a substitute teacher), please apply at this link. The pay is $100 a day and you get to work with wonderful kids and great staff! Please contact Ms. Roy or Ms. Young with any questions.

Important Dates

June 11 - 3rd grade field trip

June 13 - Graduation, 6:00

June 18 - Last day of school, early release 12:30

July 8 - ESY/Title I summer programs begin

July 15 - Pre-K summer program begins


Please check the Athletics Calendar for information on games and meets.  

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