Summer Program Sparks Students' Love of Reading
Johnstown students are on a voyage. Some are tracking animals, learning about various critters and creatures and their habitats. Some are exploring their hometown, discovering new things about the community in which they live. Others are in faraway Egypt, climbing a pyramid, acquainting themselves with the pharaohs and the Sphinx. No matter where they’re heading, all their adventures are beginning the same, with the Summer Spark Program. 

Once again this summer, the Greater Johnstown School District is giving students a four-week opportunity to get a jump-start on the upcoming school year--and have some fun--through reading. This year’s Summer Spark Program is utilizing Voyager publications to give students in K-3 the chance to sharpen their reading skills and discover the world around them. Additionally, the district is running a summer pre-kindergarten program.

“Summer Spark originally began as an intervention program for students in need of additional help in reading, but the program has evolved so that all students interested in reading are invited to attend,” said Summer Spark Program Director Anne Christiano. “Although the program primarily focuses on reading, it does include some tutorial math, as well.”

When involved with programs such as this one, students maintain what they've learned during the school year and sometimes even excel between school years, Mrs. Christiano explained.

Program Highlights

The 80 Summer Spark students were excited to have Dr. Phil N. Good visit the Warren Street School.

In collaboration with the Johnstown Public Library, the Summer Spark program brought Radio Disney--with the popular puppet Dr. Phil N. Good and his entourage--to the school gymnasium on Friday, Aug 4.

Radio Disney’s visit is one of many ways in which Summer Spark is combining learning with engaging activities. Parents will have the opportunity to visit the program at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug 10, during its “Celebration,” or what Mrs. Christiano called “an open house of sorts highlighting all the activities and learning that have been going on in the program.” During the “Celebration,” parents will have the chance to visit their children’s classroom, speak with Summer Spark teachers, and experience firsthand the variety of educationally stimulating activities in which the students have been involved.