By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The Alabaster YMCA is partnering with the Alabaster City School System this summer to help prevent the “learning slide” many children see in reading and math while they are out of school, said the YMCA branch’s executive director.

On June 13, the YMCA will begin holding its Power Scholars Academy at Meadow View Elementary School. The academy is a five-week program aimed at providing fun learning and activity experiences for rising third- through fifth-graders while preventing summer learning loss.

“It’s primarily aimed at boosting the reading and math skills that kids can lose during the summer if they aren’t engaged in that content,” said Alabaster YMCA Executive Director Rhonda Elmore.

Through the program, which is sponsored by the national YMCA and Building Educated Leaders for Life, children will receive a free breakfast through the ACS summer feeding program before working with certified teacher on three total hours of math and reading enrichment programs. After lunch, which also will be provided through the ACS summer feeding program, the kids will participate in STEM (Science, technology, engineering and math) projects, recreational activities and leadership development programs.

Each Friday, the children will take part in special activities, such as field trips and career days.

“Alabaster City Schools is proud to partner with the Alabaster YMCA to provide Power Scholars, a fun and innovative summer academic enhancement program for our students,” Alabaster School Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers wrote in a statement. “The Power Scholars Program, Learn to Swim and an aquatic program for students with exceptional needs are examples of the partnership we enjoy with the YMCA. We are pleased to offer these programs to the community and are grateful for the collaborative support of the Alabaster YMCA.”

Because of a YMCA grant awarded to the Alabaster YMCA last year, the Power Scholars Program is free to all participants.

As of June 8, the Alabaster YMCA had 54 students signed up for the program, but had space for 72. To enroll in the program, visit Ymcabham.org/power-scholars-academy or stop by the Alabaster YMCA branch by Friday, June 10.

“Power Scholars is another example of our continued commitment to improving the academic, social and emotional development of children in Alabaster and the greater Birmingham community,” YMCA of Greater ​Birmingham Stan Law wrote in a statement.