Celina K-8 and Hermitage Springs School have been selected to participate in the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation’s K-3 Home Library Program, an effort to combat learning loss.
Clay County Schools Instruction Supervisor Misty Strong said the program provides books and learning materials directly to students’ homes. Strong said the program is designed to strengthen the connection between classroom learning and home support.
“Part of that purpose is to connect home to school and support that reading initiative, and also to have that connection from the teachers, to the parents, to the student, so that we can cross those standards, have a connection from home to school, and really support learning from every angle,” Strong said.
Strong said the materials are carefully chosen to align with Tennessee’s academic standards and include resources for a wide range of learners. Strong said the program will allow students to continue learning during the summer break, when learning loss is most likely to occur.
“Any human who breaks their routine can have a loss,” Strong said. “We all struggle with seasonal changes and things like that. So just like summer happens when we have those two months without that daily school routine, these materials should combat that loss because they’re reading, writing, and activities that support engagement with reading throughout the year.”
Strong said preventing learning loss over the summer also helps teachers once the new school year rolls around.
“Instead of taking two steps back, we’ll be starting off on the right foot and taking two steps forward,” Strong said.
Strong said families with students in participating schools do not need to take additional steps to enroll. Strong said students were automatically registered unless parents opt out.
Strong said Clay County Schools are excited to provide high-quality instruction materials to the homes of young students across Clay County through the program.