“Today’s summer school is so different from 30 years ago, it’s even completely different than it was 10 years ago,” said Louann Carlomagno, superintendent of the Sonoma Valley Unified School District. Any stigma that once existed around summer school is gone, added Carlomagno. In fact, today, more than 1,000 students (or almost 25 percent of all district K-12 students) participated in some form of free summer program hosted at a Sonoma Valley campus as a means of preventing summer learning loss, catching up or getting ahead.
Over the last five years, Sonoma Valley has dramatically expanded its summer learning options for students at all grade levels.
“The growth in these programs is a good thing and a valuable tool in helping us lessen summer learning loss,” said Sydney Smith, who serves as the first-ever summer school coordinator for the district.
The school district is wrapping up three innovative programs this week aimed at helping achieve its critical grade-level benchmarks: a Summer Reading and Writing Academy, a Jump into Reading program and an Accelerated Reading Academy. Enrollment in these programs is typically by teacher recommendation, but are presented to students as an invitation. The locations rotate depending largely on any campus construction in progress.
The district’s new Jump into Reading program enrolled 75 students from transitional kindergarten through third grade; the Summer Reading and Writing Academy enrolled 275 first, second and third graders this year; and the Accelerated Language and Technology program enrolled 200 students in grades four through seven.
“The Jump into Reading targets our youngest students who struggle with reading and are two or more years behind where they should be,” said Smith. “This brand new program is aimed at giving them the support they need to quickly regain grade-level footing.” Smith looks forward to doubling the program, held this year at Prestwood Elementary, to an enrollment of 150 students next year.
The Reading and Writing Academy, which is largely underwritten by donations from the Sonoma Wine Auction and the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, is for “students who can read but are what we call ‘reluctant readers,’” said Smith. “Students enjoy visits from mystery readers, Readers’ Theater presentations and field trips.” In collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs, students also take part in an innovative afternoon camp-like, BrainGain program with reading-related games and activities each day (bgca.org/braingain). “Best of all, these kids really want to be there,” added Smith. “And parents love it because their kids are active and learning.”
Craig Madison, who teaches at El Verano, has noticed that these students enter his third grade classroom having shifted their perspective on reading and writing. “Instead of viewing these as a chore, they realize that reading and writing are enjoyable and enhance their lives.”
The district’s Accelerated Language and Technology program, held this year at Adele Harrison Middle School, is focused on English learners who need support as they work toward fluency. “The summer program provides them with the skills they need to be successful during the regular school year,” said Smith. “And the new technology component gives these students a great boost in keyboarding and comfort with technology in an education setting.”
When it comes to the high school years, the appeal of summer school varies widely. The majority of the 500 students enrolled are retaking courses for credit - but a growing number are high-achieving students who are earning new credits as a means of getting ahead.
Eighty students spent a month this summer in a Bridge to Algebra class at Sonoma Valley High School prior to entering their freshman year. More than 30 rising freshman also choose to take the required freshman living skills/geography class over the summer to free up their schedule to have an elective on their schedule in the fall.
Word of mouth is going a long way toward driving summer school enrollment according to students.
“My friends were talking about taking chemistry this summer and we decided to do it together to free up our schedules for the fall,” said rising sophomore Lizza Moore. Moore took chemistry this summer and having completed the course she will now have an extra period free to enroll in the introduction to engineering elective. Chris Rauschenfels, who is serving as principal of the SVHS summer program, added, “Chemistry was a huge success this year. We added a second section for the first time.”
The summer school at SVHS ran from June 13 to July 15. The first period met from 8 to 10:30 a.m. and the second period from 10:50 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. daily.
This year, the school offered five original credit classes: chemistry, geometry, Bridge to Geometry, living skills/geography and a teaching assistant/career exploration class.
If a student failed a class and needs to repeat it, the summer options include English, earth science, lab biology, algebra 1, geometry, Bridge to Geometry, living skills/geography and history classes offered through an online provider OdysseyWare. Seniors who didn’t complete all the requirements for graduation can also choose between English, economics and civics, and those who didn’t complete their senior project can take that as a class.
According to Smith, also available across all grade levels are special classes and support for students who have an IEP (individualized education plan) that calls for extended year services to retain prior learning.
“Expanding our extended year services for students is a critical component of our district goals,” said Carlomagno. “We’re dedicating resources because we really believe in the value and are thankful to have community partners who are also helping us to make this wide range of support and flexibility a reality for our students.”
Contact Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.
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