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<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*0r3KIDPsUq82bKik.png" /></figure><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*6-0iHCi1m79xilot.jpg" /></figure><h4>Alex (left) stands beside Pittsburgh poet Rania Mamoun (right) at the 2023 Network Convening</h4><p>Hi everyone,</p><p>For those of you I haven’t met yet, I’m Alex DeMand the National Data &amp; Learning Manager here at Hello Neighbor Network. I started this role six months ago and have been thinking a lot about the next half of the year. Here in Pittsburgh I am reminded about the back-to-school season for children and young people in the region. My backyard touches a school playground and the squeals of children are back. The college students are flooding my neighborhood cafes once again.</p><p>As we are transition back to the school-year, we’re reaching out to our dedicated community to share some recent research about summer learning loss and summer melt that impacts refugee and migrant children and youth.</p><p>Research has shown that summer learning loss, or the decline in academic skills during the summer break, can disproportionately affect students who are newcomers to our country. The challenges that children and youth face as they adjust to their new environment can sometimes be compounded by the absence of consistent learning experiences during the summer months. Not only can English language learning be delayed during <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3102/0002831219883237?mc_cid=3325352018&amp;mc_eid=UNIQID">summer months</a> in addition to other academic subjects like <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3102/0002831220937285?mc_cid=3325352018&amp;mc_eid=UNIQID">math</a>, it can also impact socio-emotional <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK552668/?mc_cid=3325352018&amp;mc_eid=UNIQID">development</a>.</p><p>Older youth in particular, can also experience <a href="https://www.ed.gov/content/summer-melt?mc_cid=3325352018&amp;mc_eid=UNIQID">summer melt</a>, which is the situation where they fail to enroll in post-high school education and/or training opportunities. This is particularly the case for low-income youth who do not have the resources and support required to enroll in programs, apply for student loans, and who need support with packing and moving.</p><p>Research has a well-known tendency to show the negative side of things, but I’d like to take this opportunity to also highlight some positive approaches to help support refugee and migrant children and youth.</p><ul><li>Parental involvement during the summer months can have a positive impact on mitigating learning loss. Parents, or other adults in the lives of children and youth, can create structures during the summer to support informal learning including reading, writing/journaling, and other activities to <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/education/3950725-what-should-parents-do-over-the-summer-to-counter-pandemic-learning-loss/?mc_cid=3325352018&amp;mc_eid=UNIQID">keep active</a>. Spending time with the family doesn’t have to be structured or feel like school, just spending quality time together can create family cohesion and positive memories. One of our students from Study Buddy here at Hello Neighbor shared their thoughts about the summer with their family:</li></ul><p><strong><em>I spent most of my summer having fun with my family and enjoying the outdoors. I think it’s very important to take a break from school because many people don’t have enough time to spend with their families during school because of homework and projects. It is also good to take your mind off studying for a little bit and work on the hobbies you enjoy! — Hello Neighbor Study Buddy Student</em></strong></p><ul><li>Summer Enrichment Programs offer children and youth a wide range of stimulation during the summer months. Programs that focus on language development, STEM activities, arts, and culture can keep children’s minds engaged and active. These programs can provide opportunities for skill-building while fostering a sense of community. Older youth may consider getting a summer job or engaging in another type of skills training program to support their interests, help them learn about jobs and careers, and also earn money.</li></ul><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/687/0*m3zWJe0ry0VCPiwE.png" /></figure><p><strong>Picture of Alex driving families to pick up back-to-school items</strong></p><ul><li>One of the strongest learning models is Peer-to-Peer learning for children and youth, particularly for <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/pits.22623?mc_cid=3325352018&amp;mc_eid=UNIQID">newcomers</a>. Creating mentorship opportunities where experienced students guide newcomers can promote a supportive environment. Peer mentors can share their own experiences and provide guidance, helping refugee and immigrant children feel more connected and confident.</li></ul><p>Check out some of our Network members who are doing this well:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.reachinchicago.org/?mc_cid=3325352018&amp;mc_eid=UNIQID">Refugee Education &amp; Adventure Challenge</a> (REACH) provides refugee youth and their families with experiential learning opportunities focused on STEAM education and adventure sports. Check out some of their programs including Adventure Camps, Leadership Training, and Family-Focused Ecotherapy.</li><li><a href="https://www.newneighborspartnership.org/?mc_cid=3325352018&amp;mc_eid=UNIQID">New Neighbors Partnership</a> ran a summer program in partnership with <a href="https://carreirc.org/?mc_cid=3325352018&amp;mc_eid=UNIQID#:~:text=The%20Center%20for%20Adjustment%20Resilience,providing%20quality%20mental%20health%20and">IRC’s Center for Adjustment Resilience and Recovery</a> (CARRE) called “Attachment Vitamins,” which is a parenting education course for moms who have been through trauma to help them form and strengthen healthy attachment with their kids. They ran a group for Spanish speakers and Pashto speakers.</li><li><a href="https://www.riverviewinternationalcenter.org/?mc_cid=3325352018&amp;mc_eid=UNIQID">Riverview International Center</a> ran a 6 week long summer reading program that more than 85 children participated in, totaling nearly 700 visits to their office to read with volunteers!</li></ul><p>Addressing summer learning loss for refugee and immigrant children and youth requires a comprehensive and empathetic approach. This is a natural phenomenon experienced by children and youth everywhere, by no means should we “academify” the summer months!</p><p>By implementing these best practices and more, educational institutions, community organizations, and families can work together to bridge the gap created by the summer break and provide a nurturing environment for academic and personal growth.</p><p>Happy learning, all!</p><p>In community,</p><p>Alex</p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/202/0*FCXrMU_GsMXwhvmF.png" /></figure><p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.neighbornetwork.io/">Hello Neighbor Network</a>. The Hello Neighbor Network accepts applications for Fellows every fall. <a href="http://eepurl.com/hnAmkT">Sign up for our newsletter</a> to be the first to know when applications open.</p><img src="https://medium.com/_/stat?event=post.clientViewed&referrerSource=full_rss&postId=7fff810700d6" width="1" height="1" alt=""><hr><p><a href="https://medium.com/hello-neighbor-network/a-note-from-national-data-and-learning-manager-alex-demand-on-back-to-school-season-7fff810700d6">A Note from National Data and Learning Manager Alex DeMand on Back-to-School Season</a> was originally published in <a href="https://medium.com/hello-neighbor-network">Hello Neighbor Network</a> on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.</p>