The Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative, or HSLI for short, is a six-week summer model that offers Rhode Island children a six-week learning opportunity combining hands-on experiences with real-world applications; field trips to deepen knowledge; and a commitment to service learning that builds essential skill such as civic-mindedness and citizenship. NWBRV is one of several sites across the state chosen to participate in the program, which is generously supported by the United Way, Hasbro, and State of RI.
Rethink Summer
“Summer learning loss” occurs if children and youth are not engaged in active learning. Research demonstrates that all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status, lose up to two months of math computational skills, while children from lower-income situations also may lose up to two months of reading skills. High-quality summer learning programs, like our middle and high school HSLI, reverse summer learning loss by offering engaging, hands-on learning opportunities that build children’s academic, social-emotional, and essential skills (e.g., creativity, teamwork, presentation skills, etc.). Students in our HSLI summer youth programs are engaged in leadership building and mentorship activities, service projects, and credit recovery (at the high school level through the Expanded Learning Opportunities program coordinated by Riverzedge Arts).
Over 60 students completed the middle and high school age portion of our summer program in 2014 and our students saw 30.6% gains in literacy skills and 13.37% gains in math skills from the start to end of the program.