If you’ve traveled around the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows schools in the last few weeks, you might have noticed some conspicuous activity. Dozens of students still at school! Buses and vehicles dropping off! Kids flying kites, throwing balls, playing beanbags! This is all part of CGD’s system for summer learning and by all accounts, it is going very well.
This year, CGD, like so many other school districts in the state and country, is engaged in structured summer learning or what we might typically think of as summer school. This is made possible by COVID relief funds that the district received this year. Though the over $775,000 that CGD received have and will be used in many areas, summer learning as a way to make up for pandemic-related learning-loss is one of those.
CGD Superintendent Joe Nelson noted that this is the first time the district has done summer programs for K-12. Elementary Principal Tricia Rosendahl added that though the elementary has done some summer learning in the past, it has never been to this large extent.
And indeed, administrators and teachers alike were surprised and pleased by how many parents wanted their children to participate. Though exact numbers vary from day to day, the elementary has around 140 students engaged in summer learning, with around 55 in the middle school and 30 in high school.
Summer learning at CGD is running three weeks, Monday through Thursday. Students meet from 8:30 am to 11:30 each day. Bussing for the older students was available. The district had so many interested kids and great teacher volunteers that they were able to offer satellite locations for elementary students in Dows and Goldfield as well.
The elementary students in Clarion met at the high school for what they titled “Summer Learning Camp.” Elementary counselor Sarah Kakacek said the days have been flying by as the students engage in not only reading and math sessions, but also fine arts and fun activities like yoga. “Students are really having a good time. They’re getting to work in small groups and with new teachers,” Kakacek said.
Rosendahl said the summer learning is not only fun for students but valuable in other ways as well. “There is social and emotional learning going on too,” she noted. “The goal is to keep their brains engaged in learning and beat that summer slide.”
At the middle school, students are enjoying a learning “Staycation.” Organizer Lori Swanson explained that each day’s schedule is split into three sessions where students get to choose from various enrichment opportunities. These include areas such as robotics, book club, anatomy academy, foods and nutrition and more. Students also can attend band lessons and enjoy a daily snack and large group activity.
Middle School Principal Steve Haberman said rather than just offer traditional classes, they explored ways to hook as many kids as possible. “We wanted it to be more like summer camp.” And apparently, that is exactly what’s happening. “The students are having such a good time,” added Swanson. “They keep asking if we can meet on Fridays and do this all summer long!”
Haberman is also pleased with what he’s seeing. “We’re not only strengthening relationships between students and staff, but we’re offering students choices. So many things are possible when you’re not just worried about a final assessment.”
At the high school level, things look a little more traditional. Organizer Karen Staples said there are about 30 students engaged in ‘credit recovery.’ This is where students can catch up with credits that they were lacking. They work through an online portal for this. Staples said that participation was better than they originally anticipated. “I think students are happy they can do this now and be on track for the regular school year.”
Also at the high school, English teacher Erin Morrical is working with Tessa Yackle to teach a class for a few incoming freshmen that is proving very valuable. Morrical said the students are working on reading interventions. As a teacher, she has loved the small group format. “Some students need that extra help to be successful. In the regular school year, we don’t get to sit down individually with students much so I’m loving this hands-on, one-on-one process.” She added that the students are responding very well.
Superintendent Nelson said he’s loving what he’s seeing from all summer learning locations and grade levels. “When I walk into the different buildings, I can tell students are loving being there. All the smiles and laughs tell the story. It’s really a credit to the great students and teachers we have here.” He also gave a big thank you to Dows First Lutheran Church and the City of Goldfield for volunteering to host satellite locations.
Right now, the plan is to continue summer learning for sure next year as the COVID relief funds will still be available. In the future, Nelson said the district will definitely be assessing their ability to offer summer school.
This week, summer school will be wrapping up. Hopefully students won’t be too sad as they get to take a dip in the pool as a reward for all their hard work!
