(Stark County, OH) March 3, 2026 – United Way of Greater Stark County (UWGSC) is launching Summer Bridge to Success — an initiative designed to provide summer learning support for over 400 kindergarten students at Alliance Early Learning School, Gibbs Elementary School, and Massillon East Elementary School maintain the progress they’ve made as they prepare to enter first grade.
Summer should be a time for play, family connection, and growth. However, for many children, summer can also bring what educators call the “summer slide” — a regression of academic skills that occurs during the summer months, particularly in reading and math.
Research shows students can lose 20–30% of their school-year gains over the summer. On average, children lose 2–3 months of math skills and up to 2 months of reading progress. According to research from The Brookings Institution, overall achievement scores decline by roughly one month of school-year learning during summer break.
The Local Reality
In United Way’s Strong Neighborhoods, Strong Families partner schools, many children begin their educational journey already facing significant barriers.
For the 2024–2025 school year, the percentage of students not on track — or “kindergarten ready” — for language and literacy was:
- 59% at Alliance Early Learning School
- 91% at Gibbs Elementary School
- 78% at Massillon East Elementary School
These numbers reflect the very real challenges families face including limited access to early literacy resources, educational support, and economic stability. Even after a year of growth in kindergarten, summer learning loss can erase a significant portion of that progress.
Why Early Literacy Matters
By age three, a child’s brain is already 80% developed. When children enter kindergarten, they must already know thousands of words to succeed in the classroom. Reading aloud, access to books, and everyday learning moments build the foundation for long-term success.
When that foundation weakens during the summer months, the impact can follow children for years. Summer Bridge to Success is designed to protect that progress and ensure children return to school confident, prepared, and ready to thrive.
About Summer Bridge to Success
Through the initiative, every kindergarten student in the three partner schools will receive a Summer Learning Kit that includes:
- A Summer Bridge Activity Workbook
- Engaging at-home learning tools and activities
- Healthy snacks to help fuel focus and learning
The Summer Bridge Activities workbook series is the #1 best-selling summer workbook collection, written by award-winning educators and recommended by teachers nationwide. Used by millions of families, the series strengthens skills and builds confidence in math, reading, writing, language arts, and more.
First grade is a pivotal transition year. By equipping students with structured learning tools during the summer months, United Way aims to help children maintain critical early literacy and math skills before entering the classroom in the fall.
A Community Effort
Summer Bridge to Success is made possible through community support. United Way is calling on individuals, businesses, and community partners to help make this initiative possible by:
- Donating to support the cost of Summer Learning Kits
- Participating in the Snack Pack Collection Drive
- Hosting a workplace or community collection site
- Sharing the campaign with their networks
Every dollar raised and every snack donated directly supports local children in Alliance, Canton, and Massillon. To donate to the Summer Bridge to Success campaign, click HERE.
Together, we can be the bridge between kindergarten and first grade, helping every child start the school year strong.
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About: United Way of Greater Stark County (UWGSC) exists to improve the lives of children and families in Stark and Carroll counties by providing access to resources they need to lessen the burdens of poverty, helping to build a stronger community in the process.