Finish Strong!
Cheering you on through the school year
Hello families!
As we enter the final stretch of the school year, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible progress our students have made—not just in reading and academics, but in confidence, perseverance, and self-belief. Growth is about more than grades; it’s about showing up, trying again, and building the resilience that lasts far beyond the classroom. We know May can be a whirlwind of testing, activities, and transitions, so we’re here to cheer you on and offer a few simple ways to stay grounded: keep routines steady, take brain breaks, and remember how far you’ve come. Let’s finish strong together!
Keeping Skills Sharp This Summer (Without Overwhelm)
While a break from busy school days is well-deserved, it’s also a great time to keep growing—gently. Learning during the summer doesn’t have to look like schoolwork. Think cozy reading routines, simple journaling prompts, fun educational games, and exploring your local library’s programs.
Even 10–15 minutes a day of intentional activities can make a big difference. Most importantly, remember that rest, play, and unstructured time are essential for healthy development, too.
Five resources to support your reader through the summer!
1. Choice Based Reading Routine
Goal: Read for 20 minutes daily — doesn’t have to be a novel!
Ideas:
Graphic novels, high-low books (high interest, lower reading level), magazines, or web articles
Audiobooks with the print version (builds fluency and comprehension)
Shared reading: take turns reading pages or paragraphs aloud
Pro Tip: Let them read what they enjoy. It doesn’t have to be school-like to be beneficial.
2. Audiobooks (Paired with Print Books)
Builds comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency.
Where to Find:
Hoopla and Libby (free with library card)
Your local library’s summer reading program
3. Simple, At-Home Activities
Word Hunts: Look for target words or letter patterns around the house or on signs. For older students: buy a good, old fashioned, word search book!
Text with Purpose: Have them text or email a relative a “fun fact” from something they read.
“Book vs. Movie” Challenge: Read a book and compare it to the movie version (talk about differences)
Family Book Club: Pick one short novel to read together over the summer.
4. Low-Key Practice That Doesn’t Feel Like Work
Let your child read menus, recipes, game instructions, or travel brochures.
Keep a summer adventure journal (pictures + a few words each day).
Ask them to help with planning a trip using maps, schedules, or reviews.
Encourage them to research a hobby or interest and share what they learned.
Pick up postcards on vacations to write memories on or to sent to family.
5. Online Tools & Apps
For 3rd-8th grade these can be helpful in moderation, especially during travel or quiet time:
Newsela: Nonfiction articles at multiple reading levels, great for tweens and teens
Freckle: Adaptive and personalized to student’s level; includes nonfiction and fiction
Flocabulary: Vocabulary & reading skills through hip-hop, fun + educational
StoryShares: Free high-low fiction for older students, inclusive and engaging
Owl Eyes: Free access to classic books with built-in annotations, perfect for older struggling readers needing scaffolding.
Big Changes Are Happening—And We’re So Excited!
There’s something special happening behind the scenes at our new Leesburg center—renovations are underway as we prepare to launch our brand-new microschool! This next chapter is all about creating a space where our microschool students can thrive with even more personalized support, hands-on learning, and a close-knit community that truly understands how they learn best.
Our vision has always been to walk alongside families on their unique learning journeys, and this expansion allows us to do just that—more deeply and intentionally than ever before.
We’ll be sharing sneak peeks of the space as it comes to life, so keep an eye out for photos and updates. Open house dates and private tour opportunities are coming soon—we can’t wait to welcome you in!
But as a reminder.. registration is currently OPEN! Just follow the link below!
The last day of school-year tutoring is June 6th.
Our summer tutoring sessions will kick off on June 16th — we can’t wait to keep the learning going in a fun, relaxed way!
Skool•ed Summer Camp information is here and registration is OPEN! Keep an eye out for an email this week with details, or check out our socials (IG: @getskool.ed and @skooled_collaborative | FB: @letsgetskool.ed)
We are excited to be participating in this year’s Alternative Education and Resource Fair on Saturday, May 17th from 9:30am-11:30am. See flyer below for details!
As the school year comes to a close, we want to pause and recognize you, the parents and caregivers. Your dedication—whether it’s getting to sessions on time, reviewing spelling words, or simply being your child’s biggest cheerleader—has not gone unnoticed.
The progress your child has made is rooted not just in instruction, but in the love and perseverance you’ve shown at home.
You’re doing an incredible job!
