District 96 Summer School Sessions Called Successful

Buffalo Grove-Long Grove Elementary District 96 has wrapped up its summer school sessions in preparation for the first day of officials classes Aug. 26.

More than 300 students attended classes this summer, according to Prairie Elementary School Principal Paul Louis, who also served as the summer school principal for the district. Classes were broken down into two sessions, Louis said. The first set of courses took place two weeks after the 2004-05 school year ended. The second round concluded Aug. 5.

Some of the most popular courses this year were Jump Start Kindergarten, Academy and the Enrichment programs.

Jump Start, held in two sessions, is intended for incoming kindergartners to get to know their district. This year, the program saw it highest number of enrollees. “It was very successful,” Louis said.

The Academy program was a four-week course for children who needed extra support to boost their skills in reading, writing and math.

Louis said the courses weren’t required, but teachers requested parents of students who may have needed the extra help to enroll their children.

The Enrichment program, down in enrollment this year, had two course sessions geared to social activities that incorporated entertainment into learning. “It was meant to be fun and for teachers to try new things,” Louis said.

Some of the classes included Spectacular Science, cooking, Spanish, band, sports, Every Day Etiquette and Everything you Wanted to Know about Middle School but Were Afraid to Ask.

Enrichment is also meant to encourage students to be active academically and physically over the summer months, Louis added.

Overall, parents and students responded well to the district’s summer school programs, according to the evaluation statements parents send into Louis at the end of the sessions.

The district staff will return to school Aug. 22 and the first day of classes will be Aug. 26, a half-day for students.

Students and parents will also get a chance to tour their schools and meet the teachers Aug. 24. Elementary school sessions will be 11 a.m. to noon Aug. 24, and middle school sessions 2 to 3 p.m. the same day.