Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas – Thousands of Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD students remained engaged this summer through the district’s Enrichment Days, which allowed students to participate in interactive activities across numerous topics. Enrichment Days were held from June 10 through August 16, 2024, at all campuses.
Throughout the course of the summer program, PSJA ISD students engaged in a variety of enriching activities in STEM, robotics, music, and arts, reinforcing the knowledge and skills they acquired throughout the school year. In addition to the student activities, the district also offered classes for parents, providing them with valuable learning opportunities to support their children’s education. Transportation and free breakfast and lunch were provided for all students.
“The summer enrichment days are a prime opportunity for our students to ignite curiosity, deepen the knowledge and skills they gained throughout the year, and cultivate passions in a variety of topics,” said PSJA ISD Assistant Superintendent Dr. Orlando Noyola. “We want to inspire a love for lifelong learning and an enthusiasm for academic excellence.”
Research shows that students who do not engage in educational activities during the summer can lose up to two months of reading and math skills, a phenomenon known as the “summer slide.” According to the National Summer Learning Association, by the end of fifth grade, students from low-income families are on average two to three years behind their peers in reading, largely due to summer learning loss. PSJA ISD has prioritized combating this decline by emphasizing the importance of high-quality, research-based summer learning programs.
“PSJA ISD is committed to providing our students with top-notch instruction through engaging and interactive summer activities that make learning enjoyable,” said PSJA ISD Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Elias. “These activities help us reinforce the knowledge and skills students have acquired throughout the year and build on that for the next school year. We thank our team and teachers for making this possible.”
The success of PSJA ISD’s Summer Enrichment Days, with a peak attendance of over 8,500 students in June, garnered the attention of state leaders such as the Texas Education Agency, Texas Impact Network, Sperling Center for Research and Innovation, and The Wallace Foundation, who visited numerous district campuses to see the camps in action.
During their tours, visitors commented on the quality of education provided to the students and praised the district’s efforts. At the high school level, students also participated in the district’s Freshmen Summer Bridge Camp focused on preparing students to successfully pass the TSIA college entrance exam to enroll in dual credit coursework as well as tool summer college courses through South Texas College.
“Students are not only enhancing their reading and math skills but are also learning how to connect their education to sustainable development goals through hands-on activities,” said a representative from the Texas Education Agency.
As the Summer Enrichment Days end, PSJA ISD looks forward to the first day of school on Monday, August 26, 2024. The district welcomes students living anywhere in the Rio Grande Valley and is still accepting students for the 2024-2025 school year.
Parents interested in enrolling their children can find more information at www.psjaisd.us/whypsja.
