Low Numbers Enroll In Summer School

Summer school started Monday, not with a bang, but a whimper.

Two of the classes offered by District 81, keyboarding and Lego Logo (a computerized logic class), were canceled.

Enrollment in the typing class was too low to warrant the class. Lego Logo was canceled because no teacher was trained to instruct the class, according to Ruth Bragg, Spokane School District 81 summer school coordinator.

“That class takes very specialized training,” she said.

About 150 children signed up for the district’s summer school program. An hour-long elementary school class costs $40, middle school classes are $50. The three-hour high school classes cost $150.

Many of the skills classes such as math and English filled quickly.

The Kingston Career Camp, a hands-on construction camp for future general contractors, was packed.

But, Medical Careers Camp for the doctors, nurses and technicians of tomorrow didn’t fly.

“I think it just wasn’t well promoted, not many kids knew about it,” said Bragg.

In Deer Park, summer school is offered only for Title I students - those who meet state and federal low-income requirements. A few slots are reserved for students willing to pay tuition.

Classes are held at Deer Park and Arcadia elementary schools. About 50 students enrolled.

“Summer gets too long, skills fall off,” said Bob Griffin, special services director for Deer Park School District.

“Summer school reduces the regression and prepares them to be successful in the fall.”

District 81 also offers Title I summer school classes for low-income students on the North Side.

Mead and Nine Mile school districts don’t have summer school programs, instead, referring students to District 81 to brush up on skills.

, DataTimes