All children are born with unlimited potential to learn and achieve.

Telling your children you believe in them, and that you have high expectations for them, helps them achieve their full potential.

During the summer, Grand Rapids offers free, fun real opportunities for your children to learn and achieve.

With the right activities, summer is full of mad potential for your children to grow smarter.

One real opportunity is Believe2Become Summer Learning Academy. If you learn that your child is eligible, sign up right away!

Believe2Become Summer Learning Academy ★ Preschool to grade 12 ★ Six weeks of learning activities, field trips, and campus visits ★ Credit recovery for GRPS students ★ Paid work experience for high school students ★ After Summer Learning Academy, many students demonstrate academic advantage and improved attendance in school Learn more at believe2become.org/summerlearning

So, what should you know about “Summer Learning Loss” ? ★ “Summer learning loss” is the loss of skills or knowledge over summer vacation ★ It happens to 100% of students who do not engage in any educational activities during the summer ★ Set backs of up to 2.6 months in math and reading skills can occur during the summer ★ But wait, there is some really good news about summer learning! *Source: National Summer Learning Association

Why spend time on Summer Learning? *Source: Believe2Become Summer Learning Academy Proven Gains* ElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh School Math gains Stemming Summer Math Loss Reading gains Stemming Summer Reading Loss Attendance Rate >80% No Suspensions

Believe2Become Summer Learning Academy Providers Aquinas College Boys and Girls Club Brown Hutcherson Calvin CRC Camp Fire USA Ferris State University Girls Scouts Shore to Shore Grand Rapids Community College Foundation Grand Rapids Dreams Grand Rapids Institute for Leaders Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities Hispanic Center of Western Michigan Jubilee Jobs New Hope Baptist Church Oakdale Neighbors Restorers Sabaoth Ministries Salvation Army Kroc Center United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) Vocal Music Workshop Word of Faith Grand Rapids YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids United Methodist Community House West Michigan Center for Arts & Technology

Other real opportunities in West Michigan are free for your whole family this summer!

Grand Rapids Art Museum 101 Monroe Center St NW Meijer FREE Thursday nights 5 to 9 p.m.

City of Grand Rapids Splash Pads FREE noon to 6 p.m. daily. May be closed Sundays. Aberdeen Park Eastern at Evelyn NE Alger Park School 921 Alger SE Gerald R. Ford Academic Center 851 Madison SE Heartside Park 69 Ionia SE Joe Taylor Park 1030 Bemis SE Mary Waters Park 1042 Lafayette NE Mulick Park 1761 Rosewood SE

Find a Grand Rapids Public Library near you at or a Kent District Library at

Free Movies in the Park Ah-Nab-Awen Park 220 Front Ave NW June 5 and 19 July 10 and 24 August 7 and 23

Festival of the Arts Downtown Grand Rapids June 5 – 7, 2015 FREE family-friendly performances Choirs, bands, soloists Dance groups and troupes Theatre and visual arts

GRand JazzFest Rosa Parks Circle 135 Monroe Center NW August 15-16,

Have your family rate each outing: 1, 2, or 3 stars!

1.Choose your summer activities with your child 2.Take a photo with your bag at your favorite summer spot 3.Post with #madpotential The creator of one #madpotential post in March will be selected to win a Kindle Fire! facebook.com/ibelieveibecome instagram.com/madpotential8 twitter.com/madpotential8

Which summer activities do you think your family would enjoy the most? ?

Want to learn more? Go to parents.grps.org and sign up to take a class on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.