There are numerous opportunities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade to participate in one of the many learning opportunities offered by the School District of Lee County this summer.

The summer learning will provide continued learning; credit recovery; promotion; targeted support; credit advancement; and enrichment and remediation.

Middle School Curriculum and Instruction Director Lori Houchin said typically when someone thinks of summer learning as summer school it is for youths catching up. She said they needed more programs for students who are advanced learners and need enrichment opportunities.

Last summer the district served 14,979 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade; offered 22 unique face-to-face camps at 27 locations; hosted six school sites for YMCA and Boys and Girls Club; eight virtual learning opportunities; 445 credits retrieved in sixth to 12th grade; summer reading books provided to all kindergarten through fifth grade students; 147 take-home science kits for middle school students; and offered state required programs.

High School Curriculum and Instruction Director Candace Allevato said summer learning will run Monday through Thursday from June 11 through July 18. The face-to-face programs will be from 7 to 11 a.m. at the high school level and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for elementary and middle school.

“All families have received communication regarding summer programs,” she said.

For the upcoming summer learning there will be 17 face-to-face summer programs at 33 sites; five virtual learning opportunities; credit recovery opportunities for all secondary sites; eight school sites for YMCA and/or Boys and Girls Club; state required programs; and summer reading books provided to kindergarten through fifth-grade students.

“We know that graduation doesn’t begin … on high school campus, it begins in buildings pre-K. Because of that we have been able to add new programs,” Allevato said.

On May 11, a second-grade family event will be held at the district office for hands-on training. Families will receive materials on phonics, fluency, comprehension and more.

“Eight assistant principals will run the program over the summer with families,” she said.

Other programs for elementary school students include:

– Third grade reading

– Fourth grade ELL Science

– Fourth grade Sunsational Science

– ELL Language

– Extended School Year

– Kindergarten through fifth grade Scholastic Reading

– iReady and Imagine Learning Virtual Expanded Learning

– Jump Start Kindergarten

– VPK Head Start

There are eight summer programs for middle school students, which include:

– Sixth through seventh grade ELL Science and ELL Language

– Sixth through eighth grades STEM

– Advanced Math

– Band Camp

– Credit Recovery

– Extended School Year

– iReady and Imagine Learning Virtual Expanded Learning

– Lee Virtual offerings

Advanced math camp is open to any incoming sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grader who is already proficient in math.

Middle school students have to pass every core class to be able to get to high school on time, which is why credit recovery is available to give them one more opportunity to retrieve grades.

There are 10 offerings for high school students, which are:

– Algebra and biology

– Credit recovery

– Driver’s education

– ELL Language

– Extended School Year

– Graduation Pathways

– Imagine Learning Virtual Expanded Learning

– Lee Virtual offering

– Percussion Camp

– Supporting Our Students

Superintendent Dr. Ken Savage said sometimes it is about allowing the students who are already doing quite well to enrich their student learning.

Board Member Cathleen Morgan complimented both the offerings and staff.

“This is transformative work you all have done. Essentially what I am hearing is a step towards year-round school,” she said. “A broad spectrum of student opportunities to meet their needs, their desires. This is just to me, wow, a huge change from where you all were last year. To me, it’s so impressive. The quality of communication, the project-based orientation opposed to sit-in-the-classroom, the family engagement and creating the expectation that parents are asked to participate — laying the groundwork with people that are really interested. This is awesome work.”