Staff photo / Bob Coupland
Janell Richardson, a teacher at the “Bridging the Gap” summer academy at Trinity Baptist Church in Warren, works with a group of elementary-age children on an activity. The two-week academy helps prepare students for the new school year and with any learning loss common over the summer.

Trinity Baptist Church hosted the “Bridging the Gap Summer Academy” for 30 elementary-school aged children entering first to fourth grades.

Michelle Rodgers, program coordinator, said this was the first year for the academy which was covered by a $20,000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley received in 2024.

Rodgers said the academy includes small group learning reading, writing, word study and phonics, religion and field trips. She said the goal is to help bridge the gap when children who last were in school in May have some summer regression until the new school year starts later this month.

“We focus on their reading through phonics and literacy tools to help students read at their grade level,” she said.

Throughout the academy, the children are checked on how their reading and phonics skills improve, Rodgers said. The activities for the children address letters, spelling, letter and blend sounds, writing and punctuation.

Rodgers said what is different from other summer learning programs is the religious component, with children learning about Jesus and lessons on love, kindness, peace, joy and gentleness. Children also learn the Lord’s Prayer.

Rodgers said Bible stories such as Noah and the Ark are read aloud, which also reinforces the students’ reading skills. The program is taught by six certified teachers and three educational aides who work in public schools.

Janell Richardson, one of the teachers, said she focuses on helping children with their literacy skills as well as social and emotional learning.

She said being able to work with children in small groups or one-on-one benefits them as they focus on reading and writing skills.

Haley Castellano, a first-year kindergarten teacher, said she focuses on helping children hear the sounds that blended words make as they read.

Rodgers said during the school year, the church provides a free tutoring program for children.

Field trips included visits to the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library and a farm in Orwell.

Rodgers said several local businesses provide food for the program.