This year PAVE joins extended learning advocates from across the country to celebrate Summer Learning Days beginning July 7, 2009.  PAVE is a non-profit charitable foundation whose mission is to make excellent educational opportunities possible for Milwaukee families.

PAVE’s Summer Learning Initiative for low-income urban students is aimed at addressing the skill loss that can occur during the summer months, closing the achievement gap between low-income and high-income students, and providing a variety of quality enrichment programs and activities for students. More than 2000 students from 12 City of Milwaukee charter and choice schools are participating in the 2009 program.

Larry Hisle, former Brewer batting star and Hitting Coach for the World Champion Toronto Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993 will speak to the students at the Academy of Learning and Leadership (ALL) on Tuesday, July 7 from 10 to 11 AM. Mr. Hisle is the Director of Youth Programs for the Milwaukee Brewers.  In this role, he is responsible for the coordination of special youth baseball projects that are consistent with the Brewers’ commitment to support youth education.  Larry mentors countless numbers of at risk kids through the Larry Hisle Mentoring Program.

Urban Day School, 3782 N. 12^th Street, will celebrate Summer Learning Day on Wednesday, July 8^th from 1:00-3:00 pm with the Animal Tracks program, an interactive animal awareness program designed for students in grades K-8.  Farm animals, including chickens, goats and ponies will be visiting students at the school.

On Thursday, July 9^th PAVE will collaborate with the Milwaukee Public Library for a Super Reader event at the Atkinson Milwaukee Public Library branch located at 1916 W. Atkinson Avenue.  Elementary students from PAVE partner, Garden Homes Lutheran School Consortium will participate in a reading and storytelling event at 11:00 am at the Atkinson branch.   “We are pleased to have the Milwaukee Public Library join with us to provide high-quality opportunities to help students discover the joy of reading and learning,” says Daniel M. McKinley, President and CEO of PAVE. 

During this week, there will be events all around the country to raise awareness of the importance of high-quality summer learning opportunities in the lives of youth and their families. Activities will culminate with Summer Learning Day on July 9, an annual national event organized by the National Center for Summer Learning at The Johns Hopkins University. Ron Fairchild, executive director of the National Center for Summer Learning says “summer learning programs are a proven educational innovation that will close the achievement gap.”

For more information, contact Kathleen Callan Brady at 414-263-2970.