Summer schooling draws students
BROWNSVILLE – Many Brownsville area students have dedicated their time to improving their math and reading skills through a summer program sponsored by Century 21, according to a school official. “We’re doing the same program as last year, but this year we did it in a brand new middle school,” said high school assistant principal Vincent Nesser, recalling that last year’s students had to work in trailers because the school was being renovated.
He said the new computer labs and software they now have available have much better accommodated the students’ learning.
Superintendent Larry Golembiewski brought in the Academy of Math and Academy of Reading programs that the students are using, and Nesser said the students have been very receptive to both programs.
“We’ve also nearly doubled our attendance this year,” said Nesser, explaining that last year there were about 60 students attending every day, and this year, they had about 100 students a day.
In addition to sharpening language arts and math skills, students in the program also had the opportunity to learn art and participate in recreation.
Nesser said they hired Ken Musko, a certified art teacher, to instruct students in daily art projects.
“The kids have really enjoyed the art program,” said Musko. “They came every day excited to see what they are going to do. They like the break from everything else they work on while they are here.”
During art class, the students worked on a wide variety of projects, including baskets and clay sculptures, which they took home with them each day.
Musko also commented on the willingness of the students to attend the program every day.
“The attendance has been great,” said Musko. “It must have been hard for them to come here some days instead of going swimming. But I think a lot of them like coming to be with their friends.”
High school teacher Frank Berdar helped keep track of students’ test scores and would oversee the students during recreation time in the gym.
He said that students were tested at the beginning of the program to see what areas they needed the most help with, and teachers tried to focus on each student’s needs.
At the end of the program, students are tested again to find out if they have strengthened their skills or if they still need additional help.
“For most students we see a lot of improvement,” said Berdar.
“Some students have improved three grade levels in math or reading.”
Although the students were only there about three-and-a-half hours, they fit in 45 minutes each of art, math, language arts and recreation.
Berdar said that according to most students, time spent in the gym was the best time of the day.
James Hogan, a fifth grade student, said it was definitely his favorite part of the program.
“I like playing volleyball,” said Hogan. “But I like art and computers too. I probably learned the most about math and reading.”
During recreational time, the students played various sports and walked around the track.
“Doing this every day for 45 minutes gets the students a lot of good activity,” said Nesser, adding that some of the older students have also enjoyed weight training.
On Friday, the students, school administration, school board and parents were invited to a cookout to conclude the program.
“The superintendent, the board and the parents have all been very accommodating to this program,” said Nesser. “It gives us the opportunity to reach out to a lot of students.”
As a reward for all the students’ hard work over the summer, they all took a field trip to Sandcastle on Monday, and they received certificates created by teacher Mary Sealy for successfully completing the program.