Kids happy to be in summer school

Most kids dread the sound of two words each June: summer school.

But not kids at White Rock Elementary School. Kids at White Rock love summer school, mainly due to Friday field trips, an incentive that keeps them coming back for daily lessons.

For the third year in a row, the enrollment in White Rock Elementary School's summer program has been growing.

There was even a waiting list this year.

For summer 2009, 180 students enrolled in the downtown Waukesha elementary school's three week summer school program where important academic skills like reading, writing and math are reinforced using games and other fun activities.

Last year, the program ran for five weeks and 110 students were enrolled, said White Rock School Principal Dorothy Smith. Summer school began June 15 and runs daily for three weeks from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"If we run it next year, we'll probably have most of the school," said Smith.

"We want them to have fun and learn," said Smith.

Fridays are fun days

The Friday field trips are definitely an attraction to summer school. The first field trip was to Waukesha Skateland. "There were big smiles on the kids' faces. These are not opportunities they would usually have," said Smith.

A majority of White Rock's student population come from low income households with parents often working multiple jobs to provide for their families.

Other field trips planned are to a Milwaukee Brewers game and a swim party at Country Springs.

Students have to attend school the whole week in order to be able to go on the Friday field trip. "You can't go on the trips if you don't go to school," Smith said with a smile,

For the three weeks this year, Smith said the school provides bus transportation and meals while they are at school. Many students have the same teachers they had during the school year. Mornings start with reading then continue with math and writing; afternoons are more active in the gym and outside.

Continue the school habit

The program starts right after the regular school year ends. "They are still in the habit of coming to school," said Smith.

"They have three more weeks for reading, writing and math. This mitigates the loss over the summer months," said Smith.

The goal is to challenge the students, "and give them an edge for the next year," said Smith.

Smith has gotten positive feedback about the program.

"Children vote with their feet," said Smith. "We also are getting more parent volunteers. We try to overdo it with chaperones."

"Despite working multiple jobs, parents still turn out big time."

Keeping the students and families involved in school is important, said Smith. "Our population is not joiners. The kids have to feel connected. We wanted to start a lot of activities to keep them going on to high school."

A need for summer school

"It is very clear that students and parents are looking for programs like this," said Dana Monogue, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Waukesha School District.

Enrollment in summer school programs is going up, overall, said Monogue. Summer schools offered through the District include full district summer schools at Lowell and West that attract students from across the district. Then, schools like White Rock offer focused programs with many of the classes taught by the same teachers at the school. Focused programs are also offered at Banting, Bethesda, Blair, the three middle schools, Hadfield, Hillcrest, Pleasant Hill, Prairie, Randall, Rose Glen, Saratoga and Whittier.

The District also works with the Waukesha Park and Recreation Department on programs.

Summer schools offer routine, structure, teach skills and continue social interaction.

While the focus of summer schools is currently on maintaining skills, "we hope to build our summer school in the next few years to include fun and enriching programs such as art and engineering," said Monogue.

"We expect enrollment to steadily climb as we add the enrichment programs," said Monogue.