Elementary Summer Camps Spark Creativity and Enhance Learning

Our Science, Technology, Engineering Art and Math (STEAM) summer camp for kindergarten through fifth grade is sparking curiosity and creativity in our youngest learners. Each morning, students gather in the multipurpose room, where they start their day with a snack and catch up with friends. This start to the day sets a positive tone, as students participate in various STEAM-inspired stations including building towering cup structures, solving puzzles, crafting, building with Legos, and playing games like tic-tac-toe. These activities not only warm up their minds but also build essential skills such as teamwork, problem-solving and critical thinking.

After the lively start in the multipurpose room, teachers lead students to their classrooms to dive deeper into the day's learning adventures. Our camp is designed to provide a rich blend of hands-on experiences across Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, ensuring that students are actively engaged and inspired to explore new concepts.

When asked what their favorite part of STEAM camp has been so far, a group of first and second graders exclaim, "everything." One first grader especially loved designing and building a paper roller coaster, while another student was excited about designing a carnival game.

“Our Summer STEAM Camp has been a fun and engaging experience for students this summer,” explains Summer School Principal LeAnn Tuupo. “From fifth grade creating zip lines to first grade exploring lunar landings, from creating boats and determining how many paperclips can be added before sinking to our LRCII students engaging in water play and exploration, all students have enjoyed the opportunities for hands-on learning and exploring with other students in their classrooms.” She adds, “It was especially fun to celebrate the end of STEAM Camp with a whole camp Glow Party.”

Another summer school option is the Multilingual Learner (MLL) program. In these specialized sessions, students work on enhancing their language skills through interactive and immersive activities. In Kelly Nilson’s second- and third-grade MLL class, students start the morning with a community circle, where they answer thought-provoking questions such as, "Would you rather be a lizard in the rainforest or the desert?" This question reinforces their learning about the climates and conditions in rainforests and deserts. Each student greets the group and shares their preference along with their reasoning.

In Eva DiDonato’s second- and third-grade MLL class, students sit in a circle and take turns reading a play out loud. Each student is assigned an "animal" they will represent throughout the activity, enhancing their reading and comprehension skills in a fun, interactive way.

Leah Allen's second graders design and build paper rockets with a straw attached for propulsion. They experiment with various designs, including two fins or three fins, and then determine the optimal design to push the rocket further and faster. These projects develop engineering skills and teach the importance of perseverance and creative problem-solving.

The technology lab is abuzz with students learning to code, build robots, and explore the digital world. These activities provide a solid foundation in technology, preparing them for the future and instilling a love for innovation and discovery.

Summer school is also offered in-person to students in high school who need additional support or credits and online to students in grades 5-12.  The Extended School Year (ESY) summer program provides students who receive special education services with extended opportunities to learn and grow.

We are proud to offer these valuable programs. Summer school not only keeps students engaged during the summer but also supports academic improvement, skill reinforcement, and enrichment opportunities.