Summer School Adventures: New learning ahead
Summer is right around the corner, and even though our world seems a bit different right now, the Medford Area School District has once again created a summer school program with the goal to offer enriching, engaging learning adventures for students! Whether at home or in our schools, our goal remains the same: for students to be excited to learn, while having a fun and captivating experience. Parents will find that each grade level across the district has course offerings based on the different needs and ages of our students.
Let’s break this down by months. Taking into consideration the current state health and safety guidelines, Summer School in June will be offered as a combination of virtual and distance learning. For students who will participate online, Summer School at Camp Wonder is scheduled for mornings, June 1-26, Monday to Friday, Camp Wonder is for students, Pre-K to Grade 8, who will enjoy grade-level classes, offering continued learning mixed with gardening, storytime, mysteries, and physical exercise. Classes will run from 9 a.m. to noon, with teachers greeting students at the beginning of day and then engaging students with a morning packed full of activities, along with breaks and monitored work time, throughout the morning. Students without reliable internet can be sent packets and supplies to continue to learn and challenge themselves. Teachers will communicate with students to provide feedback whether online or otherwise. Pre-K will primarily focus on helping parents to prepare their children for next fall, when they come to elementary school for the first time. If students are looking for something different, there are several other course options as well, including camps and special programs. Middle schoolers should check out all of the online offerings in June, ranging from Pre-Algebra skill building to Tractor Safety, and high schoolers from online electives to Drivers Ed and Life Management. Taking these courses during the summer months may help to open up a high school student’s schedule during the school year to other possibilities.
July begins with swimming lessons after the Fourth, for the one session to be offered this summer. Spots are limited due to state guidelines. Sign up on the waiting list link; if more spots are able to open up, parents will be contacted.
July also brings the hope of being able to offer more courses in person. In the summer school booklet, there are listed courses from adventure clubs to summer camps. Again, if more spots become available, parents and students on the waiting list will be contacted.
August is when the excitement for the next school year begins to build again, and when Jumpstart opens. These two weeks (Aug. 3-14, Monday to Friday) are just that--a Jumpstart--to get prepared for the year ahead, to review those necessary skills from the previous year, and to get a sneak peek of the upcoming grade-level. These courses, once again, are being planned for face-to-face learning, in our schools.
Alternative plans will be communicated if this is not possible due to safety reasons. Students in grades 1-12 who have registered for summer classes will be allowed to keep their chromebooks or IPads to facilitate online learning.
The Summer School Adventures Booklet with all course listings, times, locations, swimming lessons, and registration information is available on the Medford District homepage. Registration is through Sign Up Genius. Some courses have a limited capacity, due to current state guidelines of maximum groups and social distancing. Again, parents and students are advised to sign up on the waiting list to be contacted in case additional spots open up.
Paper copies of the Summer School Adventures Booklet are available at the district office and at each school building.
Parents needing help with registration may contact Sara Budimlija at the district office at 715-748-4620 ext. 522.
To keep informed on summer school happenings, like the page for Medford Area Summer School Adventures on Facebook. Any notifications regarding course openings would be a direct parent or student contact.
Medford Area District staff are looking forward to providing area child(ren) with an exciting, engaging summer program. Whether virtual, distance learning, or in person . . . let the adventures begin!
— SuAnn Schroeder, MASH assistant principal and MAPSD summer school administrator
