July 12 is National Summer Learning Day, a day of advocacy aimed at recognizing the importance of keeping students learning, safe, and healthy every summer.

In a city the size of Houston, students can participate in a variety of fun and educational activities that will not only prepare them for the upcoming school year, but also prevent the “summer slide” — learning loss that can occur over the summer months.

HISD supports summer learning and has compiled a page where parents and students can find information on summer programs, family-friendly events, volunteer opportunities, and how high-schoolers can maximize their break: http://HoustonISD.org/SummerGuide.

Over the past year, HISD has strengthened its longstanding partnership with DiscoverU, the city’s leading advocate for experiential learning. This partnership provides HISD students with personalized guidance and support to participate in Fantastic Learning Opportunities, or FLOs — quality college and career preparatory programs that occur mostly during the summer months. This summer, DiscoverU is supporting over 500 HISD students to take part in transformative learning experiences locally, nationally, and even internationally. Students are building computers at University of Houston-Downtown; studying aeronautics in St. Louis, Missouri; visiting HBCUs in Louisiana and Mississippi; and immersing themselves in Chinese language and culture in Beijing, China, among many other adventures. Read more about the self-discovery HISD students are undertaking this summer here: www.discoverus.org/flo-blog

For more information about keeping your child active and engaged this summer, explore the HISD Summer Guide or email us at SummerSchool@HoustonISD.org.