Wealth of Learning Opportunities Offered In D58 Summer School

Submitted by Jennifer Waldorf

Enrollment for District 58’s "Learning in the Summer 2014" program is now open. Regular education summer school classes will take place Monday through Friday, June 16-July 3 from 8:15-11:15 a.m. at Indian Trail School, 6235 Stonewall Ave. 

Band and orchestra classes will take place from 8 a.m. until noon at O’Neill Middle School, 635 59th St.

Parents and guardians can ralso egister their children and pay for regular education classes online at www.dg58.info/SummerSchool. District 58 parents received an email from District 58 containing the registration password. If you need password assistance, please contact Jennie Waldorf at jwaldorf@dg58.org.

The program is open to all students enrolled in public, private or parochial school that will be entering kindergarten through eighth grade and reside in the District 58 attendance area. Grade level will be for the 2014-15 school year, with the exception of band and orchestra, which is the current year’s grade level. Transportation is not provided.

In addition to math, reading, art, band and orchestra, District 58 will be offering a Digital Game Design class for third through eighth grade, which will be offered the weeks of July 7 and July 14, running Monday through Thursday. 

Parents also will be able to register their children online for this year’s Chinese Immersion Summer Language program, open to incoming fourth through eighth grade students. This class will run from June 16-July 3 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon) AND July 7-17 (Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon).

The registration deadline is Friday, May 23, and early registration is encouraged. Enrollment will be handled on a first-come first-served basis, and space is limited. Class may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment. In addition to the online registration, hard copies of the registration forms still will be available at each District 58 school. For more information, contact summer school secretary Diane Glowicki at dglowicki@dg58.org or 630-719-5850.

As part of the Regular Education Summer School curriculum, which runs June 16 through July 3, Monday through Friday, District 58 offers the following:

Leap Into Kindergarten: Children entering kindergarten this coming fall will work on readiness activities in reading and math, including letter and number recognition.

Reading and math for first grade: Children will be given experiences with a wide variety of literature. Activities will include reading, listening, speaking and creative writing. Math activities will reinforce basic math skills and extend knowledge of key concepts.

Reading and math for second through eighth grade: This class will provide a variety of activities to help students apply reading strategies for better fluency and comprehension, as well as extend their enjoyment of reading. Math activities will reinforce basic math skills and extend knowledge of key concepts.

Math A Prep: This learning opportunity is for students enrolled in Math A at Herrick or O’Neill Middle Schools for the 2014-2015, school year.  The class helps students review core instructional skills for the class as well as prepare students for the pace, rigor, and tools used in the Math A program.

Math B Prep:  This learning opportunity is for students enrolled in Math B at Herrick or O’Neill Middle Schools for the 2014-2015, school year.  The class helps students review core instructional skills for the class as well as prepare students for the pace, rigor, and tools used in the Math B program.

Art workshop (grades 2-3): Painting, drawing, sculpture and more.  Join us for a creative summer of learning about the visual arts.  Students will create projects from a variety of mixed media, while incorporating art history from the past and present.

Art Workshop (grades 4, 5, 6): Students will use a variety of techniques and media such as painting, ceramics, papier-mâché and tie dying.  Freedom of expression is encouraged.

CLASSES RUNNING ON ALTERNATIVE SCHEDULES: 

Digital Game Design (Grades 3-8):  Students will create and design their own computer game.  They will explore a variety of different tools for the iPad and laptop.  (This course will be held July 7 - July 17, Monday - Thursday, 8:15 - 11:15 a.m.)

Chinese Immersion Summer Language Program (Grades 4 - 8): This course is a federally- subsidized language program that immerses students in Chinese language and culture. Students will start learning the Chinese language (reading, writing, speaking, typing), develop a global vision (sensitivity to foreign cultures), and participate in a fulfilling learning experience through an array of cultural activities. (June 16-July 3, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. AND July 7 - July 17, Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.)

MUSIC CLASSES: JUNE 16-JULY (MONDAY-FRIDAY, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.)

NOTE: Grade level for music refers to the current, 2013-14 school year.

Band Special Help (1) and Lessons (2):

1 - This class is designed to help students seeking additional instruction in basics for their instrument.

2 – This class is designed to allow students a chance to explore a second instrument for the purpose of furthering knowledge in their instrument family. Consent of the instructor is required for this class.

Intermediate Concert Band: This class is for students who have completed one year of instruction on their instrument.  Typically these are students who have just completed beginning band instruction (grade 5).  Class is in a band rehearsal format giving students the opportunity to read and play a great deal of music in a short period of time.

Jazz Band: This class is for students who are interested in exploring jazz and rock styles of big band music.  It is open to students entering seventh, eighth or ninth grade. Summer Jazz Band is open to all instruments.  Concurrent enrollment in a summer concert band is required.

Advanced Concert Band:  This class is for students with two or more years of experience on their instrument.  Class literature is Middle School level music.  There is an emphasis on reading several musical styles of varying difficulty.  Highly recommended for ALL players entering seventh, eighth or ninth grade.

Fourth Grade Beginning Orchestra: This class is designed for beginning level fourth grade students who have completed one year of instruction on their instrument.  Class is in an orchestra rehearsal format giving students the opportunity to read and play a large variety of music in a short period of time.

Special Help and Guided Practice Time (music):  This class serves the following purposes:

• Provides more individualized instruction for students who would like additional help on their instrument.        

• Provides structured time for individual practice.  It is recommended that students in this class also participate in the appropriate level orchestra class.

Fifth and sixth grade Intermediate Orchestra: This class is designed for intermediate level students who have two or more years of experience on their instrument.  Typically these are students who have just completed fifth or sixth grade orchestra instruction.  There is an emphasis on expanding technical skills, as well as on reading music of various styles and of varying difficulty. 

Intermediate students are encouraged to also attend the Advanced Orchestra session, which will provide an added challenge and assist sixth graders in the transition to middle school level playing.  (There is no cost for attending more than one session.)