Summer school, for some students, is not much more than a
nuisance. The faces of the 100 or so soon-to-be eighth-graders
walking up to Britton Middle School at 7:30 a.m. last Wednesday
told the story:
”
I have to go and I don’t wanna,
”
fussed one pre-teen on her cell phone before the first day of
the four-week stint.
Summer school, for some students, is not much more than a nuisance. The faces of the 100 or so soon-to-be eighth-graders walking up to Britton Middle School at 7:30 a.m. last Wednesday told the story: “I have to go and I don’t wanna,” fussed one pre-teen on her cell phone before the first day of the four-week stint.
Superintendent Wes Smith’s vision is to not design summer school as punitive, he said, but worthwhile.
“We believe it is (effective) and it just seems to make sense – to prepare the kids, especially those with language barriers – and then to focus teaching on just algebra, these are the kids who have the most need,” Smith said Wednesday morning.
The budget didn’t allow for the district to save summer school for high-schoolers, but this year – direct from the mind of Smith – came kindergarten readiness and algebra readiness for seventh-graders who failed pre-algebra.
And for the first time that any person at the district office can remember, the first day of summer school was moved from mid-June to early July so the information is fresher in the students’ minds before opening day in August, Smith said.
“Starting it directly after school lets out in June is so much more challenging. Students need a little break and faculty do too. We start it in July, go through August, it’s a different dynamic. So they don’t forget everything or lose focus,” he said. “It really seems to make sense.”
Twelve school buses lined the Britton campus like a ship loading dock as 1,000 children passed through the school gates to locate their mainstay this summer. The routine was a first for many parents and children.
“I saw a lot of kids crying this morning,” said Maria Perez, pre-kindergartner Clara’s mother. Perez patted the back of Clara’s head and held another child on her hip. “I think she was comfortable because she’s had two years of pre-school. She’s really benefited and now she’s comfortable in a classroom, around other children.”
By kindergarten, children are expected to be able to count to 10, recite the ABCs, recognize rhyming words and manage using the bathroom alone. The 200 children enrolled in the kindergarten-readiness classes were targeted as needing extra English help based on enrollment interviews. They are given extra attention to English language acquisition, as most speak a second language at home.
The goal is to jump start their skills so by the first day of kindergarten, Aug. 17, they are on par with their peers.
“I colored. I read stories. I played. We do a lot of things,” said Tara Yath, 5, after her very first day of school. Her father Mao said he thought sending his daughter to summer school was “a good thing” and while he has taught her things at home, it was important that she interacts with other children her age.
“It’s interesting because my two sons didn’t go to pre-school and they’re OK. So we will see how this goes. So far, so good,” Yath said.
Only Britton is playing host to summer school this year – a reduction from two campuses that had been status quo for awhile at MHUSD. The elimination of summer school for high school-age students saves the district $200,000, but puts a dent in supplemental income for district staff who have relied on the extra money.
The cost to pay 42 teachers, 24 instructional aides and 12 para-educators and support staff is derived from categorical funds, not the general fund that was $2.9 million in the red until the budget was balanced in June. To cover much of the deficit, the district increased class sizes that will begin this fall in kindergarten through third-grade classes from 20 students to one teacher to 24 students to one and with extra incentive, enough teachers retired to save 33 teachers who were given layoff notices earlier this year.
More than 500 children at Britton are in special education classes and attend as part of their Individual Education Plans, and an additional 268 students are in the migrant education program; both are summer school staples at MHUSD. The new algebra readiness is serving 133 almost eighth-graders who received a D or F in pre-algebra and 200 students are part of the kindergarten-readiness classes.
“Everyone is saying summer school is canceled, well not quite – a thousand kids are here today,” said Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Jay Totter Wednesday morning.
Britton’s new principal Glenn Webb was on-hand to help with what was at times a bit chaotic as children clung to their parents, some of whom arrived not-a-moment-too-soon, piling into the front office to find their child’s classroom. Smith was on campus for support, as were assistant superintendents Totter and Socorro Shiels and Director of Technology and Enrollment Arlene Machado who helped escort students to class.
Students who didn’t qualify for summer school are left to correct failed credits or enrich their education elsewhere. While several options are available in Morgan Hill, such as the Extreme Learning Center, YMCA day camps or free online tutoring services at the Morgan Hill Library, they come at a cost for families or don’t mirror the environment of a school classroom.
Tonya Sanchez woke up Wednesday morning to the sight of buses and backpack-toting children in her neighborhood on West Central Avenue.
She asked what was all the commotion at Britton.
“Oh, wow. My son needs this bad,” Sanchez said. Her 10th-grader failed several classes and Sanchez said because he has no way of re-taking the classes this summer, he’s enrolling at Central Continuation High School this fall.
6 ways to keep your child’s mind active this summer
- Get lost among the shelves.
Make it a point to visit the clean and quiet Morgan Hill Library on West Main Avenue every week with your children. This Wednesday bring a furry friend to cuddle with and read aloud for the weekly story time at 3 and 7 p.m. On Saturday, a bilingual story time will start at 10 a.m. Library cards are free for adults and children, just bring proof of your address and you can check out books, CDs and DVDs the same day.
- Chip away at math and science.
Does your child’s questions about polyatomic ions or algorithms cause you to mumble and quickly walk away? If you’re fishing for answers to their questions, both Ann Sobrato and Live Oak high schools offer free math and science practice on their websites under “academics.” The worksheets are mandatory for Advanced Placement and honors students, but will give your child – and you – a lead on next year’s course work.
- Practice can’t hurt.
Don’t let the ever-important SAT sneak up on your teen. Several free SAT prep courses are available through Kaplan Test Preparation Sept. 4 and a free practice run at the ACT test Sept. 11. A one-hour interactive workshop will start at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Morgan Hill Library. Students and parents will learn what college admissions officers expect from an applicant’s high school experience. For more information and to register go online to www.santaclaracountylib.org/morganhill.
- Become bilingual.
The Learning and Loving Education Center helps women learn the basics of English on their way to completing a GED, and also provides child care and English help for children under kindergarten age. Fees are low and while there are no summer classes because of budget cuts, classes start again Aug. 30. To learn more about how to enroll, call 776-1196.
- Lend a helping hand.
Volunteer Morgan Hill can point you in the right direction to teaching your child the importance of community and volunteerism. The organization will host its second volunteer faire Sept. 11 at the Community and Cultural Center from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. There, parents and children can get connected with a variety of organizations that are in need of volunteers throughout the year.
- Stock up on words.
If your child throws around words like “auspicious” and “misogamist” this fall their teacher is likely to be impressed with his or her elevated vocabulary thanks to a nose dive into classic literature. Students who signed up for honors classes are well aware of the rigor of the required summer reading, but those who didn’t can benefit from some quiet time with a book.
Novels such as, “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky and “Hamlet” by Shakespeare – all listed on the high schools’ websites – will expand your child’s ingenuity and do more for them than an afternoon on the couch.
