Story by Randy Porter
(SNR) - Summer math booklets available to every K-6 grade school in the diocese address a loss of learning due to the pandemic and perennial “summer brain drain.”
Schools provide students’ families with information on how to get the math booklets and use them, and some schools provide the booklets for students. In other cases, area businesses sponsor the math program for students.
“We are offering a Catholic Summer Math Booklet to students in the diocese which addresses issues regarding loss of learning due to the pandemic and perennial summer brain drain,” said Ann Kotopka of Lincoln, a member of St. Teresa Parish.
With help from her daughter, Rose Kotopka, she produced the booklets and submitted them for approval to the Diocesan Education Office. Sister Collette Bruskewitz, OSF, assistant superintendent, and Sister Anne Joelle Braunsroth C.K., assistant superintendent, reviewed the materials. Both they, and various principals, have expressed their approval of the math program.
“The math booklets are a great opportunity to enhance students’ math skills with their families,” said Sister Anne Joelle. “And the program is Catholic based.”
The program offers 10 traditional summer activities such as sidewalk chalk, water balloons, lemonade stands, going to the library or summer pen pals. The activities incorporate grade-appropriate math designed to study with a mentor. They are Catholic in nature, professionally illustrated and printed.
Schools, businesses or others can buy them in bulk for $6 per copy, just above the production cost. Or, they can be purchased at $10 per booklet individually.
Two classes at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ School in Lincoln, the first and second grades, are among those participating in the summer math booklet program. They are sponsored by area businesses.
The first grade at St. Joseph School in Lincoln also will be sponsored by an area business. Students in those classes will receive complimentary booklets.
“My hope is that many Catholic school children go home at the end of the school year with a math booklet in hand,” said Kotopka, who offers her math booklet through Goldenrod Publishing, www.goldenrodpublishing.com. “The website does a nice job explaining to families in our diocese what these Catholic Summer Math Booklets are all about and how to use them.”
Principal Sue Braun of St. Michael School in Lincoln was enthusiastic and supportive of the math booklet philosophy and product at a meeting with her, Kotopka said.
“Summer Math Booklets are beautifully designed to keep math and thinking skills sharp over the summer months and to reinforce grade level math concepts in the context of fun, interactive, engaging activities,” Braun said. “The once-a-week format is ideal for busy summer schedules and takes students on adventures to explore the presence of math all around us. A bonus for our students is the integration of Catholic-inspired activities.”
She added that the unique “Math Mentor” model fosters relationships and encourages math conversation and collaborative problem-solving.
“I am looking forward to hearing all about these fun experiences when students return to school in August,” she added.
Father Thomas Lux of All Saints School in Holdrege also approved the math booklets for students at All Saints School.
There were various reasons he was attracted to the math booklets, Father Lux said. One, it keeps learning going on through summer time, especially in light of the pandemic causing delays in learning.
Two, the activities demonstrated author Ann Kotopka’s Catholic education background and enthusiasm for each child to learn. Parent and student intentionally schedule time together with fun, educational and hands-on activities oriented to the grade of student. The common themes for each grade level would make it possible to concurrently do the same activity with children of a family in different grades.
The incorporation of the Catholic faith in the themes of the activities is clear, he said.
