Southeast Ventura County YMCA is partnering with national educational nonprofit BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life) and the YMCA of the USA on "Find My Genius," a summer program that expands learning time to improve the academic achievements, self-confidence and life trajectories of elementary school students in Thousand Oaks who are performing below grade level. The program runs from July 2 to August 3 at Conejo Elementary School in Thousand Oaks.
Known nationwide as Power Scholars Academy (PSA), BELL-powered programs are designed to prevent summer learning loss, the greatest contributor to the achievement gap. The summer program of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA is a holistic summer learning experience that blends rigorous literacy and math instruction with hands-on enrichment, social emotional development and community engagement.
PSA was launched in 2013 by the YMCA of the USA and BELL in collaboration with local YMCA associations and schools as an academic and enrichment intervention for underperforming students. On the local level, the Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) is recruiting 60 kids going into 2 through 4 grades to participate in Find My Genius. CVUSD is providing students with free daily breakfasts and lunches.
"Our local Y association, the national YMCA, BELL and CVUSD are working together so at-risk kids are well prepared to enter the next school fully prepared, confident and ready to go," says Ronnie Stone, Southeast Ventura County YMCA CEO.
In 2017, nearly 7,500 scholars participated in PSA in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Over 157,000 children have been served by BELL-powered programs since 1992. Evaluation results showed enrolled students (known as scholars), gained an average of two months in literacy skills and three months in math skills. Over 94 percent of PSA teachers reported higher self-confidence among scholars, and 88 percent of parents reported that their child now has a better ability to overcome challenges.
“Increasing access to high-quality learning experiences beyond the school year helps scholars get ahead when they return to school in the fall, instead of falling behind,” says BELL CEO Lauren Sanchez Gilbert, Ed.D. “We are honored by this opportunity to expand learning time and empower more scholars, parents and educators this summer in the Conejo Valley.”
