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Summer Connection Prepares Students for 2021-22 School Year
School District U-46 will offer a variety of summertime experiences, under the program name “U-46 Summer Connection,” to help students connect to extended academic, physical fitness and outdoor, artistic, and other opportunities. Also new this summer are three specific programs to help incoming students in 7th, 8th, 9th and 12th grade prepare for the year ahead.
“We understand that this past school year didn’t allow students to connect with their friends and teachers as they would have in a normal year,” said School District U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders. “Our U-46 Summer Connection programs aim to help students develop their learning communities, explore interests, and catch up or get ahead academically for the 2021-22 school year.”
The District will offer a variety of experiences for elementary through high school students, while still adhering to all current safety measures and practices. To learn more, visit our U-46 Summer Connection website section at www.u-46.org/summerschool
Elementary Community Opportunities
Earlier this spring, the District invited community organizations to submit proposals for summertime programming that would provide fun, innovative, enrichment and/or recreation programs for elementary students. The District asked that programs feature one or more of the following elements: environmental education and connecting youth with nature; exploring various curricula such as STEM, STEAM, visual and performing arts, and leadership; building self-esteem and self-efficacy; promoting cross-cultural experiences; and promoting active living.
On Monday, the Board of Education approved eight organizations to provide half or full-day programming that meets the District’s criteria. All programming will be free to families with the District using federal Covid relief funds to cover the expense. Programs will be offered through local park districts, arts, and childcare and children’s organizations. Families will receive information about registration later this month and all updates will be posted on the Summer Connection website page.
Elementary students who need additional support will be invited to join an in-person summer school session that will focus on reading and math.
Middle school students will also have access to classes to help them recover credits while high school students will be able to take classes to get ahead or to make up credits lost during the past school year.
Additionally, the District will offer extended learning opportunities for students with special needs through traditional programming offered each summer.
New Middle and High School Camps
Middle and high school students will also have access to three new voluntary and free programs to help them prepare for the year ahead. Registration for all three programs opens April 13 and runs through May 6, 2021.
The Middle School Experience
U-46 will host a new summer program, called The Middle School Experience, for all students who will be in 7th and 8th grade in a U-46 middle school for the 2021-22 school year. The Middle School Experience is a four-day voluntary program that will be hosted at each middle school and will feature community and team-building activities aligned to social-emotional learning standards. The programming aims to familiarize these students with their teachers, peers, their buildings and schedules. Students will participate in a variety of activities for critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication.
The Freshman Connection
The Freshman Connection will serve incoming first-time freshmen for the 2021-22 school year. The Freshman Connection is a four-day voluntary program that will be hosted at each comprehensive high school. Students who register will attend programming at the high school where they will be enrolled for the 2021-22 school year.
This program will feature community and team-building activities aligned to social-emotional learning standards and help familiarize freshmen with their teachers, their new buildings and high school schedules. Students will participate in a variety of activities for critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication.
The College Jumpstart
U-46 will also host a new summer program, called The College Jumpstart, for all incoming 12th grade students. The College Jumpstart is a three-day voluntary program that will be offered at each comprehensive high school. It will cover topics important for incoming seniors such as developing a post-secondary plan, exploring post-secondary options, college applications, essays, letters of recommendation, financial aid, and other post-secondary resources. Students who register will attend programming at the high school they will attend as seniors in the 2021-22 school year.
“We hope that these three programs will give students a running start for the new school year,” said Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools Instruction and Equity Lela Majstorovic. “They are designed to support students who are entering a new phase in their educational journey and might appreciate the extra time, information and resources to become prepared for success in the fall.”