The Essential Summer

Posted on April 07, 2008 by Bill Dube

Kids need summer break. Can I get an Amen? Gathering tadpoles in the

creek, bonding with Great Aunt Clara, canoeing at Lake Winnipesaukee,

soaking up extra vitamin D....the list of summer's benefits is as

endless as Georgia's humidity. As adults, we all have golden summer

memories that made our childhood, well, childhood.

Summer is essential---but a complete break from academic activities can

cause students to plummet academically come fall. Educational research

consistently reveals declines in reading, writing and mathematical

achievement during the summer months. So, what's the solution?

"The solution is to keep academic activities in your child's summer

routine," says Kim Bethune, co-owner of Omega Learning Center, a

privately owned supplemental tutorial center with locations near

Brookstone and Bentwater in Acworth. Most parents will admit, however,

to trying this at home and failing. June begins with a gusto of math

drills and sustained silent reading, but August ends with a pile of

library books gathering dust on the kitchen counter.

*Playing Games*

Fortunately, Omega Learning Center offers an alternative. Their summer

programs, which range from kindergarten readiness to abstract thinking,

keep skills sharp while keeping kids happy (not to mention keeping your

counter clutter-free). And because Omega's programs are modeled after

public school gifted programs, they improve the skills of both reluctant

and advanced learners.

"We teach students how to learn, and we make sure they have fun

doing it," says Bethune. "During the first ten minutes of every session,

the students play a mind-enriching, brain-stretching game. The games are

fun, but they also increase critical thinking skills. The goal is to get

students to think outside the box, which improves math skills and

reading fluency."

*Playing Catch Up*

In addition to promoting abstract thinking, Omega's summer programs

bridge gaps in specific subject areas. "Some students are already below

grade-level in math and reading when the school year ends, so they

benefit from a summer program designed to help them catch up," says

Bethune. After participating in Omega's programs, students improve an

average of 1.8 years in comprehension, 2.6 years in math and 1.9 years

in science and social studies.

These impressive results are not new to Bethune and Omega Learning

Center co-owners Kathy Keeton and Joyce Smith, who have witnessed

countless success stories since their first center opened in 2005.

What's the secret to the Omega approach? First, students are assessed in

17 academic areas. After their strengths and weaknesses are identified,

a program is customized using state-of-the-art software. Finally,

children are paired with professional educators, most of whom are

certified teachers, who work with students either one-on-one or in an

intimate small group.

*Playing for Keeps*

The resulting academic gains literally bring tears to parents' eyes.

"The best part of my job is seeing the results," says Bethune. "It's

really exciting to post- test a child at the end of their program and

see how much they've improved, and it's even more rewarding to watch

their confidence grow every day. The kids love it, and the parents are

so pleased." With their proven approach, Omega Learning Center is kid

tested and mom approved...even during the summer months.