DECATUR - Summer is a time for swimming, fishing, hiking, and a wide assortment of things to do. The last thing on a child’s mind is school. However, Larry Ben, Decatur superintendent of schools, wants to change that.

Ben has devised a program that departs from the traditional concept of “summer school” to a more program-oriented setting. He calls it the “Summer Program.”

“The focus” Ben explains, “is on the heart of the melon.”

According to Ben, “Our objective is to try combining all these summer activities. We started out by bringing together different people that had an interest in what happens with kids over the summer both from the standpoint of parents, students, school, city and coaches. So we tried to do something that would meet those interests and do it in a way that is not conflicting.”

By bringing the community into the mix, no one program is stepping on the other. This puts less stress on the student, who might want to participate in different subjects of interest but had to choose one over the other because of conflicting schedules

The focus of the summer program is to give students a chance to move forward with, not only their academics, but athletics as well. Ben’s concept is to “keep them fresh and not to lose the knowledge they gain.”

It’s easy for students to get wrapped up in summer activities and not think about what they learned during the previous school year. Then, when the new school year begins, too much valuable educational time is taken reviewing that lost knowledge. With this program, the student has an edge when the new session begins.

The same idea applies to sports as it does for academics. By allowing them to participate in various sports activities during the summer, students will be better prepared for competition in the coming school year.

The feature of the program is that it is not structured like the normal school year. Students would not be required to attend if they chose not to. The activities are designed to make it fun to learn. The courses available will depend on the individual’s desired subject matter. Field trips will be open for students who wish to attend. There are six trips planned for the summer, one of which is to the Tulsa Zoo.

On the other side of this program, students needing or wanting to take credited courses will have a chance to do so.

According to Ben, “The program will let some students take courses over the summer that could add credits to their schooling.”

For the credited courses, attendance will be required. An online course will also be available to the students during the summer.

But the fun is not confined to the students. The program is also designed to make it fun for the teachers.

“Teachers enjoy when they see the lights come on in the kids,” Ben states.

There will be two three week sessions planned for this summer. The first session is scheduled to begin on June 10 and end June 28. The second is scheduled for July 8 through July 26. The schools will open the doors at 8:30 a.m. and close at 2:30 p.m. for both sessions. There will be transportation provided for those who need it.Breakfast and lunch will be provided as well.

“They would have a place to go, be fed and have transportation available,” Ben said of the students who participate.

The meals will be provided through the Seamless Summer nutrition program.

“It provides free breakfast and lunch to all children 18 years of age and under. The program is open to the entire community. Adults pay $3 for lunch and $2 for breakfast.” Ben explained.

The summer program is funded by grants from National Summer Learning Association and Title 1.

To sign up for the Decatur Schools Summer Program, contact Deborah Coffer, Decatur High School principal, or Jeff Gravette, Westside Elementary principal.

News, Pages 1 on 06/05/2013