Learning doesn’t stop when the final school bell rings, marking the end of another academic year.

In fact, for students in the Bremerton School District, educational experiences abound at six elementary schools across the city for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

“Studies have shown that it takes students a month to a month-and-a-half to catch up if they don’t practice throughout the summer,” said BSD Special Programs Director Linda Sullivan-Dudzic.

To keep students’ minds sharp and equip them for future academic success once school starts in the fall, the district is placing a special emphasis on reading and math through its summer programs, Sullivan-Dudzic said.

“Regardless of the WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning) these are the foundations for an academic career,” she said.

The programs are taught by teachers, who taught during the school year, so students will find familiar faces in the classroom setting, she said.

All of the programs are federally funded through the Title I program, which is aimed at helping students who are struggling, so the district is able to offer them at no cost to participating families, she said.

“We want to make it fun for kids, because learning doesn’t stop,” she added. “We just love the fact that our families are so supportive.”

The summer program at Armin Jahr Elementary School began on Tuesday and is from 8 a.m. to noon every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday through Aug. 7.

Kitsap Lake Elementary School’s “Gold Medal Readers” summer reading program is slated from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 8 to Aug. 14.

Naval Avenue Early Learning Center’s “Book and Bike across Washington!” program will be from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 8 to Aug. 7.

View Ridge Elementary School will offer its “Jump Start” summer reading program weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 11-22, and its Washington Reading Corps and Title I reading program weekdays 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 18 to Aug. 29.

Westhills Elementary School’s “Breakfast and Books” program will be from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 8 to Aug. 14.

Crownhill Elementary School has put together reading and math packets for students to work on during the summer.