Summer Programs Have Marine Themes
It’s the summer of whales.
At least, Spokane Valley children will have chances to learn all about whales this summer.
East Valley and Central Valley school districts each have designed classes with marine themes. Science, art, math, reading and drama are integral to both classes.
East Valley’s is an alternative pilot program, teaching about whales, sharks and the coral reef. It’s not a remedial program, said Trentwood Principal Bill McRorey.
The Monday-Thursday program is designed in cooperation with the Valley YMCA Day Care Program, which will offer before- and after-school care at Trentwood, where the classes will meet.
East Valley’s classes will include outside games, scavenger hunts, field trips to IMAX, a pet store and the Spokane Fish Hatchery. Cost is $100 for five weeks. The class runs from June 29 to July 30. It is open to kindergarten- through fifth-graders.
Central Valley’s “Whale of a Time” class is for fourth- through sixth-graders.
Central Valley will accept out-of-district students into its summer classes. East Valley may accept out-of-district students, depending on enrollment.
Other Central Valley offerings for grade school students range from dance to deluxe problem solving:
There’s a one-week kite-engineering class for fourth- to sixth-graders. Kids will make their own kites and learn about kites in different parts of the world. And of course, they’ll learn how to fly them.
Introductory Spanish and French will give primary students a taste of the language and culture and food of those countries.
Two science classes are likely to attract kids who like, well, fun.
“Kitchen and Crime-Lab Chemistry” will give kindergarten through fifth-graders some hands-on experiments, making the likes of gak, slime and oobleck.
“Physics and Things that Float, Fly and Zoom” will include lessons on light, static electricity. The class is going to be flying everything from gliders to hot-air balloons.
A string instrument summer camp for first-time or novice musicians is a new offering. So are several art classes billed as “Art for the Serious Artist.”
Cost for the Central Valley classes ranges from $25 to $95, depending on the duration of the class.
West Valley School District’s summer school includes a computer class for grades 3-5, as well as a third- and fourth-grade literacy class that is centered around a greenhouse project.
All three Valley school districts offer remedial classes for elementary, middle school and high school students. NEED TO KNOW MORE? Here are phone numbers to call for more information on summer school classes around the Valley: Central Valley, all grade levels: 921-7042. East Valley, remedial classes: 924-9383. Sea Life Exploration: 927-3215 or 535-8521, evenings. West Valley, all grade levels: 922-5467 or your child’s school.