Provo City School District officials are urging parents to engage in at least 20 minutes of daily reading with students this summer to combat 'summer slide,' a period of learning loss that can span one to three months. The recommendation comes as the district concludes its annual budget hearings and prepares for the 2/026-27 school year.
Strategies for summer reading success
During a recent episode of the 'Sup with the Sup' podcast, Continuous School Improvement Director Michelle Eldredge explained that summer reading goals should focus on maintaining current proficiency levels rather than increasing them. Eldredge noted that for students in kindergarten through third grade, reading aloud is particularly vital for developing fluency and comprehension.
Eldredge advised parents to use a strategy of reading, talking, and listening. While she noted that listening to audiobooks can help build vocabulary and oral language development, she emphasized the importance of interacting with the text. She also suggested that parents consult with teachers to identify specific needs for their students before the school year begins.
District budget hearing conclusions
The push for summer literacy comes as the Provo City School District Board of Education and Municipal Building Authority concluded public hearings regarding the final 2025-26 operating budget and the tentative 2026-27 budget. The hearings were held at the district office on June 16 and June 23, 2026.
Recent district academic achievements
In a summer newsletter for the upcoming 2026-27 school year, Superintendent Wendy Dau highlighted several district achievements, including the highest increase in students earning college credit through Concurrent Enrollment and Advanced Placement exams. The district also reported improvements in elementary math scores and significant increases in student attendance following districtwide initiatives.
Awards and vocational program updates
Additionally, the newsletter noted that the district's elementary music educators received the Sorensen Legacy Award for Outstanding Music Education. The district continues to utilize Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, with students completing 214 different pathways this past year in fields such as healthcare, engineering, and agriculture.
District communication and transparency methods
The district continues to use various communication tools to maintain transparency with the community. These include weekly videocasts from the Superintendent, the 'Sup with the Sup' podcast available on platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and social media updates via Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Recognition of specific educators
Other district highlights include recognition for Timpview High School administrator Martin Yablonovsky and the work of educators at Shoreline Middle School, such as choir teacher Kristen Weixler.
