Students make most of break time:45-15 schedule allows for acceleration program
Bobby Ray Elementary students were technically “out” this week, but several of them checked in to a special intersession program administrators hope will enrich their educational experiences.
Intersession Director Shirley Luna said 119 children participated in a week-long series of activities as part of their three-week break this past week, which is something principal Bob Bonner said is promising.
“Kids are in school and they don’t have to be,” Bonner said. “They want to be.”
Activities included sports or arts and crafts as well as presentations on recreational pursuits such as dance, caving, and knitting, but were complemented with educational activities such as teaching computer skills, insects, and music.
A program called “acceleration” is also offered and is designed to help students improve academically.
“The whole purpose is to be able to give children experiences they do not receive during the regular school term,” Luna said. “Teachers are involved in teaching academic subjects. We try to do things that involve the children in activities they wouldn’t get exposed to normally.”
Many of those activities were aided by presentations given by local parents, high school students and other volunteers, she added.
As far as acceleration, about 30 children attended reading or math classes taught by certified teachers from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. each day in order to boost their abilities, and those who stayed throughout the day participated in the fun events.
The program was introduced last fall and lasts one week of the three weeks students break for the 45-15 schedule at the school. There is a nominal weekly fee attached to the program, but fees for students attending acceleration classes are discounted, Luna added.