Summer Reading and Math Program Kick-off
It might be summer vacation for thousands of local students, but for seven dozen youngsters, school is back in session this August for 90 minutes each morning. The group is participating in the Huntington School District’s summer reading and math program, which aims to sharpen academic skills over a 2 ½ week period.
This marks the eighth year the program has been offered. This year it has been expanded to cover additional grades. Participation in the program is by invitation only and is completely voluntary. It will run from Aug. 5-21, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. each day.
The 87 students range from kindergarten age to those entering grades 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8. Kindergarteners comprise the largest percentage of participants. “The idea is to invite new kindergarteners to the program to give them a positive experience as a first-time kindergartener in the school environment,” said Joan Balsari, the administrator overseeing the summer session. “The older students will have the opportunity to maintain or increase their reading and math skills, as well.
The district offers transportation to and from the school each morning. Some students take advantage of this while others are transported by family members.
For the past three years Mrs. Balsari has coordinated the program, which moved forward after residents approved the 2008/09 school budget in late May. Principals, secretaries, transportation office and central administration employees worked with Mrs. Balasari to put everything in place.
“With everyone’s help, the planning of the program was made so much easier” Mrs. Balsari said. “The faculty and staff should be commended for all the time, effort and hard work they will be giving to the students of this district and to this program.”
The program is part of the district’s effort to raise the academic performance levels of all students.
Comments or Questions? email the Public Information Office