What a fantastic summer of learning and growing!
Eighty elementary students and thirty junior and high school students from the Riddle School District spent July learning and having fun at summer school camps.
The district celebrated the tenth year of New Ventures Summer Camp, a 3-week program made available to any elementary-age student living within Riddle School District. The activities included science, cooking, art, gardening, music, drama, reading, math and swimming. Junior and high school students as well as staff and community members dedicated time to work at this camp.
Elementary students went on field trips that included walks to the local library to participate in the summer reading program and bus trips to the Canyonville Farmers Market and the Pioneer/Indian Museum. Also, the South Umpqua Memorial Pool was the perfect way for students to cool off on a hot day. On the last day of camp, students enjoyed an all-day trip to ride jet boats in Grants Pass.
Junior and high school students attended a camp designed for them to advance skills to move to the next grade level or retrieve credits. Taking extra credits was also an option for high school students. While the learning model focused on academics, the program also included unique activities that supported the whole student. Each busy day began at 8:00 a.m. “Many students arrived earlier to see their friends,” says Riddle Junior and Senior High School Principal, Russell Hobson.
These students had opportunities to also learn outside the classroom and traveled to McMinnville to visit the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, home to the Spruce Goose, which was the perfect way to integrate engineering into the curriculum. Plus, a trip to Nickel Bowl allowed students to have fun together and incorporated physical education.
“One of the great things about summer camp was that students got to participate in activities that they don’t get to do every day,” says Hobson.
The summer school camps also supported students nutritionally. Lunches were federally funded and provided by the district’s nutrition vendor, Sodexo.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the staff and volunteers who dedicated their time to support our students,” says Hobson.
A network of committed individuals is the key to this approach to learning. “I really appreciate the dedication of our staff to our kids. I recognize how our staff treats their responsibilities as a calling not just a job,” adds Riddle School District Superintendent and Elementary Principal Dave Gianotti.
The district understands that students benefit when they are given opportunities to try new things while being surrounded by supportive people inside and outside of school. The summer camp programs are examples of this approach. “Our community needs us and we need our community,” says Gianotti.
This strong foundation of summer learning has prepared participating students to continue their learning this next year.
Jet boat photo credit = PicThrive