Summer school reading camp gives students head start

Most elementary school students won’t be heading back to school for several weeks, but some kids are getting a head start on the semester through a special summer reading camp that started this week.

The halls of Dora Erickson Elementary in Idaho Falls are fairly quiet compare to the regular school year, but things are buzzing in a couple of the classrooms for a three week K-12 summer reading camp.

Students like Thomas Williams who is going into 4th grade don’t mind coming to school in the summer at all.

“I love school, and if you want to go to school during the summer, this is the place to come,” Thomas said.

Abbey Stephens is also going into 4th grade. She is improving her reading skills through this program. Students who scored below the benchmark standard on the statewide reading test were invited to this pilot experimental summer program. There are about 250 students in District 91 spread around three schools.

This week they are focusing on animals. Next week the solar system will be the theme, in preparation for the eclipse. It’s all designed to improve reading and writing skills before the real school year starts.

“Just to kind of boost them and jump start them so when they start the first day of school that they’re prepared and they have the right mindset going into school ready to learn, and they’ve spent the last three weeks with us engaged in reading and writing,” program director Kylie Dixon said.

The students agree, this will prepare them for the upcoming semester.

“It’s good for you to go to summer school,” Abbey Stephens said. “That way you know all the rules,you know all the stuff and you’re already prepared and you’re good and reading and writing and all that other stuff.”

Even though many of their friends are still out of school for summer vacation, students like Brysin Johnson, who is going into 4th grade, are not complaining.

“It’s a lot of fun coming here and having fun, because you get to read, to spend time with the other students. You get to learn about other stuff,” Brysin said.

If this summer reading camp is a success, District 91 will look at continuing it in future summers.
School officials say even if your kids aren’t in summer school, it’s a good idea to encourage them to keep reading during their summer vacation.