Saint Joseph’s University Summer Reading Program, under the direction of Dr. Mary DeKonty Applegate, provides children with individualized assessment profiles, small group instruction and collaborative literacy learning focused on higher-level thinking. The Summer Reading Program at Saint Joseph's is designed to serve all types of students, ranging from struggling readers to those who are in need of challenge and enrichment. Current literacy research will guide all instructional and reinforcement activities. Enrollment is limited and acceptance is on a first come, first serve basis.
Our instructional program is designed to promote higher-order thinking and motivation to read and write through:
- An emphasis on encouraging thoughtful responses to text to foster success on standardized achievement tests.
- The development of reading fluency linked with growth in comprehension.
- The integration of the essential language skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing.
- The development of sight vocabulary within the framework of coherent word recognition strategies.
- An emphasis on research-supported transactional reading comprehension strategies developed through a balance of literature and informational text.
- Use of technology in the creation of student developed materials.
Regular testing will be held the week of June 17, 2013. Special testing will be held on three consecutive Saturdays, June 1, 8, and 15, 2013. You will be contacted as to the time and place for your child’s testing. Instruction begins on Monday, June 24, 2013 and continues until Thursday, July 25, 2013. Classes start promptly at 8:45 A.M., (students should be there by 8:30 A.M.) and are held Monday through Thursday until 12:00 noon. All classes are held in Merion Hall, on Saint. Joseph’s University's Maguire campus.
The fee for the Summer Reading Program is $525. This total includes the $75 registration fee (non-refundable) which is required with each application in order to reserve a space in the center. For parents who are sending more than one child, there is a reduced fee of $100 per additional child. This reduced fee will be deducted from the balance due (not from registration fee). In the event a student does not qualify for the program after testing, the instructional fee of $225 will be returned.
Early Bird Special: If your full balance is received before April 1, 2013, you will receive a $25 discount. Please click here to download the brochure and application. When the completed application form and the $75 registration fee are received by Saint Joseph's University, a confirmation letter, a calendar of events, and a bill for the final payment will follow.
The full balance due is required by Friday, May 24th, 2013. If the full balance is not received by May 24th, you may lose your reserved spot. Also, any monies sent after May 24th must be as cash or money order. Please make a separate application for each additional child. For further information, please call Caitlin Elverson at 610-660-1583.
By enrolling your child in this program, you agree to allow the Saint Joseph’s University team to evaluate your child, both academically and cognitively, and to audio and video tape your child during instruction. You agree also to allow the University team to use your child’s test scores and other data, anonymously and confidentially, for research and evaluation purpose.