Fayetteville State University June 15, 2015 The Office of College Access Programs Will Celebrate the Importance of Summer Learning at Fayetteville State University The Office of College Access Programs, in partnership with the National Summer Learning Association<http://www.summerlearning.org/> (NSLA), will highlight the importance of summer learning opportunities at the Career and College Readiness Summer Institute, comprising of TRIO Talent Search, TRIO Upward Bound, TRIO Upward Bound Math & Science and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. The event is part of National Summer Learning Day<http://www.summerlearning.org/keepkidslearning>, a national advocacy day led by NSLA to elevate the importance of keeping youth learning, safe, and healthy every summer. This year, NSLA is encouraging everyone-providers, families, businesses -to take the pledge at www.SummerLearningDay.org<http://www.summerlearningday.org/> to keep kids they know and love learning and healthy this summer so that they can thrive in the school year ahead. National Summer Learning Day is an opportunity to highlight the initiatives undertaken by Fayetteville State University to combat summer learning loss. The event will take place on June 19th, from 9am to 1pm on the campus of Fayetteville State University in the Helen T. Chick Building. Educators, parents and community citizens are invited to stop by to witness innovative and engaging activities (i.e., robotics, engineering, dissections, statistics, etc.) that showcase the summer programs offered by the Career and College Readiness Institute. "Summer learning is an annual reminder that we need to keep youth learning over the summer," said Dr. Teresa Thompson-Pinckney, Director-Office of College Access Programs. "We are dedicated to supporting student achievement throughout the summer, and our celebration marks our commitment to that goal." Research shows that summers without quality learning opportunities put our nation's youth at risk for falling behind - year after year - in core subjects like math and reading. The math and reading skills low-income students lose each summer are cumulative and contribute significantly to the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income children. "Many kinds of high-quality learning opportunities during the summer can make a difference in keeping young people on track for success," said Sarah Pitcock, CEO of the National Summer Learning Association, "these opportunities can be found in schools and community organizations, including local libraries and museums, and in businesses, colleges and community colleges. Even families can be empowered to provide high-quality summer learning to their kids at home." For more information about Summer Learning Day or the Career and College Readiness Summer Institute, please contact the Office of College Access Programs at (910) 672-1351 or visit our website at www.uncfsu.edu/cap<http://www.uncfsu.edu/cap>. About Office of College Access Programs The Office of College Access Programs' mission is to encourage and assist youth who are traditionally under-represented in post-secondary education with preparation for, entry into, and completion of a post-secondary education. The Office of College Access Programs is comprised of federally funded programs that include Talent Search, Upward Bound (Classic), Upward Bound Math & Science, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and AmeriCorps VISTA. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.