Pittsburg Community Schools blog

More than 150 Pittsburg Community Schools elementary students are getting a “boost” on their academics this month by taking part in USD 250’s enhanced summer school program.

The Summer Boost Academy, which runs 8 to 11:30 a.m. from July 2 to Aug. 3 at Meadowlark Elementary School, combines classroom instruction in reading and math with a variety of enrichment, wellness and team-building activities. The program is funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant and through USD 250 ESOL and at-risk funds.

The program is coordinated by USD 250 educators Michelle Casey and Tricia Harrell.

“Summer programs are important to a student’s education, as they help avoid what many refer to as the ‘summer slump,’” Casey said. “During the summer, students run the risk of losing some of the knowledge they attained during the previous school year, and programs like the Summer Boost Academy help ensure that they retain much of that knowledge. It also gives them a little bit of a head start for the upcoming school year.”

Through a partnership with Save the Children, an independent organization dedicated to improving the lives of the world’s youth, USD 250 was able to include into its summer program various enrichment activities.

“Our involvement with Save the Children allowed us to add health and wellness activities to our summer program, as well as several other enrichment and team-building exercises,” Dr. Brian Biermann, USD 250 assistant superintendent, said. “In some sessions, students will work with LEGO Education robotics, while others will be doing jumping jacks and learning about the importance of healthy eating.”

The USD 250 ESOL Summer School is also taking place at Meadowlark during the month of July. The program is for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and is aimed at providing additional instruction for students learning English as their second language.

“English can be a very difficult language to learn, especially for students who don’t have English speakers in their families,” Monica LaForte, USD 250 Migrant/ESOL Education director, said. “Giving them this additional summertime instruction is important for their education because it keeps them practicing speaking, reading and writing in English. There is nothing more important than continuous practice when you’re trying to learn a second language.”

PHOTOS

Elementary Summer Boost Academy

ESOL Summer School