Return to Headlines
FCUSD Summer School Programs Strive To Maintain Excellence In Students
SUMMER SCHOOL CLASSROOM
June 18, 2014
The FCUSD summer school programs are currently in action. The many programs aim to ensure that students achieve the necessary requirements for graduating or advancing to the next grade level.
Keith Shields, the Principal of Secondary Summer School, states that the summer school mission is synonymous with that of the district’s—to “provide excellence in educational programs that carry high expectations for each student’s achievement and success.”
Both elementary and secondary schools are offering summer school programs and classes for students in need of credit recovery, CAHSEE aid, specialized help, or for those enrolled in enrichment courses.
First, students in secondary education at FCUSD attend summer classes at Mitchell Middle School. Classes run from June 9 to July 11.
First, students in secondary education at FCUSD attend summer classes at Mitchell Middle School. Classes run from June 9 to July 11.
The summer school program at Mitchell Middle School entails a remedial program, an enrichment program, and other aspects. The remedial program—credit recovery, an ELD program, and CASHEE practice—is targeted at allowing students to make-up credits from core classes (math, social sciences, English, science) in which they received a D or below, with a maximum of 10 credits taken.
Additionally, FCUSD offers Math and English Language Arts courses targeted at helping students to achieve the necessary skills for passing the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam). These courses focus on a variety of lessons, such as probability and statistics, number sense, algebra, and geometry for the Math course, and writing strategies and practice, reading and comprehension, and literary analysis for the ELA class.
“Each program is fast-paced and rigorous,” claims Shields, “We hire talented and qualified teachers, who are dedicated to helping students meet their academic needs and goals.”
Furthermore, the enrichment program is an online program that allows FCUSD high school students (entering 10th-12th grade) to enroll in up to 2 classes, taken non-consecutively. These classes occur at both Mitchell Middle and Vista del Lago High School from the beginning of June to July 7. Unlike credit recovery, these classes are targeted for students who wish to enhance their education or enrich their schedules by taking courses in the summer.
All courses and programs offered in the Secondary Summer School stress the importance of “establishing strong organization and study skills,” states Shields.
Second, students in elementary summer school attend the host schools of Gold Ridge Elementary, Cordova Villa Elementary, and White Rock Elementary, where they are seeking help in math and reading this summer. Classes are held from June 6 to July 3.
Second, students in elementary summer school attend the host schools of Gold Ridge Elementary, Cordova Villa Elementary, and White Rock Elementary, where they are seeking help in math and reading this summer. Classes are held from June 6 to July 3.
There are three summer programs for elementary students—an extended school year for special education students who meet certain requirements, an EL program for students who either maintained or dropped a level on their testing scores, and a remedial program for students who are at risk of not meeting grade standards.
The remedial program’s goal is to help students to “close that gap and be more prepared for next year,” states Vickie Boudouris, Title 1 Reading Specialist for FCUSD and the principal of the summer programs at Gold Ridge Elementary.
At Gold Ridge, remedial EL math and ELA programs are crafted by experienced teachers. The ELA program focuses on reading (including Phoenix and fluency), comprehension, grammar, and writing. Common core strategies are being stressed this year, and a bilingual assistant is on site at Gold Ridge, working with English learners.
Also, the extended school year program is specialized to meet the individual goals of the students in the program, including instructional, educational, and behavioral goals.
Ultimately, the goal for all students in the summer school programs is to “help them maintain and progress in their learning… solidify the knowledge they already attained, and go that one step further to make academic progress, while having some fun too,” said Ms. Boudouris.
The FCUSD summer school programs are off to a great start and should only excel from here.
Gold Ridge Summer School Playground
Summer School Computer Lab