With the first day of school a month away, 85 elementary students are taking advantage of Jump Start classes at Jefferson Elementary School to sharpen their study skills.
To capture the children’s attention, classes are centered around a circus theme.
“The teachers are reading stories about animals and to help some of the younger students with their counting, we’ve popped corn and have the kids count the kernels before eating the treat,” said Brad Crusinbery, program director.
New to the program this year is the addition of preschool children preparing to enter kindergarten.
Nine preschoolers are attending kindergarten classes taught by veteran teachers Loretta Ellis and Linda Johnson. The classes are intended to prepare the students with not only class work but to get them used to attending school with other children who are older as well.
At the end of each school year, teachers identify at-risk students who they believe could use a review of school work before the fall session begins. Parents also may request Jump Start classes for their children.
“We can recommend students attend Jump Start classes but it’s not a required attendance,” Crusinbery said.
Some students spend time on computers working on math and reading while other students review their vocabulary skills. There is no homework and no formal testing. Quizzes help the teachers evaluate the students’ knowledge of the day’s lessons.
Classes began Wednesday and will continue through July 29. Breakfast is served each morning as part of the summer school lunch program.
“With all the funding cuts I am pleased that at-risk funds are available to give our students an opportunity to get a head start on class work before school begins in August,” Crusinbery said.
At-risk Iola students get a Jump Start
