School might be far from the minds of many students during the summer, but the Virginia Department of Education wants to make sure they don’t leave learning entirely behind.

The department has launched a web page, with a host of activities, resources and tips to promote summer learning.

Taking advantage of the resource will help ensure students don’t fall behind, according to Patricia I. Wright, state superintendent of public instruction.

“Students who read for pleasure during the summer and engage in other fun learning activities are less likely to lose ground while school is out and are more likely to be ready for success in the fall,” Wright stated in a news release.

“All of our Virginia is for Lovers … of Summer Learning resources and activities are from trusted sources and can be easily adapted for family vacations and summer child care programs.”

The free activities and resources have been developed by respected organizations including the Library of Virginia, the Public Broadcasting System, the Smithsonian Institution, the Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

MetaMetrics, provider of the Lexile and Quantile scores on Standards of Learning test reports, is also a contributor.

Parents and caregivers can use Lexile scores to customize summer reading lists based on reading levels and interests.

Quantile scores, meanwhile, can be used to create a customized, six-week, email-based program to enhance math skills of rising third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students.

Web page features also include a downloadable flier and bookmarks for parents, schools, summer camp programs and child care centers.

“The Virginia is for Lovers … of Summer Learning web page is a great place to start planning activities for national Summer Learning Day,” Wright stated.

The web page can be found at www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/summer/index.shtml. The department also reminds students, parents and caregivers that Summer Learning Day, designed to raise awareness of the importance of summer learning programs, will be observed June 21.