About Juneteenth Reading Conference and Summer Learning Program

Overview
The purpose of the Juneteenth Reading Conference is to combat the Summer Slide that adversely impacts children from marginalized and high poverty communities. These children may experience learning loss during the summer months due to the lack of education and enrichment activities.
On June 15th, there will be an opening evening reception for the children. Theme: READING IS OUR SUPERPOWER. There will be a keynote speaker, The Black Panther.
June 16th begins the first day of the conference. Activities will include storytelling, education on agriculture by the Master Gardener Program, and S.T.E.A.M by the Manatee County Library Services. Participants will also engage in arts and craft activities.
On June 17th, participants will take a trip to the State College of Florida where they will learn to program and fly drones at the SCF Coding Academy. Afterwards they will arrive at the 13th Avenue Dream Center to participate in a Hip Hop Reading Presentation with Author/Educator Vincent Taylor and his mascot, “Cornbread”.
From June 20th-July 18th, RECESS Education will monitor participants’ reading of selected books and completion of their reading comprehension journals by performing weekly Zoom meetings or phone calls. Participants will turn in their reading comprehension journals in exchange for gift card incentives.
Goals of the Juneteenth Reading Conference
1. To provide an enriching learning experience for participants that focuses on creativity and innovation.
2. Address literacy barriers by providing books to participants that reflects their cultural heritage.
3. Ensure that literacy activities align with Florida’s B.E.S.T Standards.
4. Provide participants with reading materials and support for summer reading.
Targeted Number of Participants: 35
Grade Levels of Participants: 3-5
Outcomes
• 30 out of the 35 (85%) participants will indicate that they enjoyed their reading enrichment experiences.
• 30 out of 35 (85%) participants will demonstrate satisfactory results on the Cornbread Reading Pre and Post Test. This assessment will also be available to area community centers for their use.
• 30 out of 35 (85%) participants will complete their Reading Comprehension Journal by July 18, 2022.

Juneteenth will culminate with a festival on June 18, 2022 at the 13th Avenue Dream Center