WVU Extension Service – Monongalia County

Problem

• During the summer many children lose academic skills.

• Without school breakfast and lunch, many children lose nutritional well-being.

• Many children have few structured learning opportunities.

Summer learning and nutritional losses are greater for children living in rural and low-income communities.

Children living in rural and low-income communities often fall behind during the summer months, starting each school year behind where they were the previous spring. Successive summers of limited learning opportunities may cause children to fall below grade level by the end of elementary school—putting them further and further behind more privileged peers.

Energy Express

Energy Express is a six-week summer program promoting the school success of children living in rural and low-income communities across West Virginia by:

• Providing summer learning experiences focused on reading.

• Serving two nutritious family-style meals each day.

• Engaging college students in service through AmeriCorps.

Developing strong partnerships involving parents, schools, communities, and state agencies and organizations.