COLUMBIA — Registration for summer school is not closed quite yet, but Mary Humlicek, director of Title I and summer school for Columbia Public Schools, expects enrollment to be higher than last year.
“Parents are looking to economize and may not be able to send their kids to camp or a day care,” Humlicek said. The summer school program is free, and the last day to register is May 1.
Last year, the school district used the Newton Learning program, a contractor that provides curriculum for the summer classes, as well as a $100 incentive for perfect attendance, which could be beneficial to families who might be struggling because of the economic downturn, Humlicek said. Since that time, the program was purchased by the EdisonLearning company. Humlicek said that only the name has changed and that both the curriculum and incentive will remain the same.
Along with standard core curriculum classes — math, English, science and social studies — students also have some unconventional options. Seventh- and eighth-graders can participate in “the wave” — a microwave cooking class. Third- and fourth-graders can take a cup-stacking class, which is similar to a sport and teaches coordination, Humlicek said.
Students entering the first grade can enroll in the "summer surprise" class. Every day, the class will read a different picture book and then participate in a related activity. For example, for the Fourth of July, the class will read a patriotic book, make hats and tambourines and have a parade, Humlicek said.
This summer, the district will again offer the Minority Achievement Committee Scholars program, or MAC Scholars. The program partners with MU to encourage minority students to enroll in advanced courses. The program will last for two weeks, running June 7 through June 19.
The district's summer school will also include a summer enrichment program, and each course costs $60. There will be two sessions for students entering kindergarten through eighth grade. The first session is June 15 through June 26 at Grant Elementary; the second is July 20 through July 30 at Fairview Elementary. Students can take class from 8 to 10 a.m. and from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in either session.
Preschool classes are also offered in the summer enrichment program for children ages 3 through 5. There are two sessions available for $150 each. The first session is June 15 through July 2 and the second is July 13 through July 30. Both sessions are held at Fairview Elementary from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.