Signup fairs to advance summer learning in Naperville area

The end of January seems like the perfect time to think about summer - at least for parents wanting to advance their children's learning.

The third annual Summer Activities Fair, sponsored by the SUCCESS parent group in Naperville Unit District 203, puts summer on the mind by gathering eight providers of educational camps and events to offer information and registration.

The event is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, at Scott Elementary School, 500 Warwick Drive in Naperville, where parent Amy Klug is one of the co-leaders of the SUCCESS chapter.

Klug says SUCCESS, which stands for School Using Coordinated Community Efforts to Strengthen Students, plays an important role in ensuring parents have access to all of the helpful school programs already in place.

"We're trying to make sure that our families have an idea about the broad range of options that Naperville has to offer families during the summer," Klug said.

Organizations that will spotlight their summer offerings during the free event include District 203, which will promote summer school signups, along with Naperville Park District, DuPage Forest Preserve District, DuPage Children's Museum, Alive teen center, Naper Settlement, Naperville Public Library and the YMCA.

Staff members will be on hand to help families sign up right away, and free child care and food will be provided.

The SUCCESS group, which was founded about six years ago to help black and minority students find community and achieve academically within the district, knows summer is an important time even though school is out.

"Part of the goal of the fair is to combat summer slide, which is the term that people use for losing summer learning," Klug said. "One way to do that is to engage in various educational opportunities."

Things like visiting museums, reading, taking music lessons and staying physically active all can help, Klug said.

That's why she encourages parents to RSVP to attend the summer learning fair by emailing successatscott@gmail.com.

Parents involved with the Indian Prairie Parents' Council in Indian Prairie Unit District 204 feel the same way. They're planning their 11th annual Student Summer Activities Fair for 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at Still Middle School, 787 Meadowridge Drive in Aurora.

Exhibitors at the Dist. 204 fair are set to include academic classes, STEM activities in science, technology, engineering and math, music classes, sports camps, opportunities for students with special needs and volunteer activities for teens.