WHEREAS, National Summer Learning Week is a time to reflect on the importance of keeping young people learning, safe, and healthy every summer, ensuring they return to school ready to succeed in the year ahead; and
WHEREAS, the ability to read by third grade is proven to help children attain a lifetime of academic and professional success, and summer learning loss can present a barrier to third grade reading achievement; and
WHEREAS, parents can help promote academic success by reading with their children and encouraging them to read independently throughout school breaks; and
WHEREAS, summer learning programs are proven to maintain and advance students’ academic and social/emotional growth, keep children safe and healthy during the summer, and send young people back to school ready to learn; and
WHEREAS, a wide array of public agencies, community and faith-based organizations, schools, libraries, museums, recreation centers, camps, and businesses contribute to the well-being of youth through summer programs and offer a trusted role in the education and well-being of our children; and
WHEREAS, in collaboration with business and community partners there is an opportunity to provide older youth with opportunities to gain real world experience and skills through summer youth employment, work-based learning, and volunteer programs; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina encourages all students, parents, and caregivers to champion summer learning to support academic achievement for every child in our state;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim July 10 – 14, 2023, as “NORTH CAROLINA SUMMER LEARNING WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.