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Title I Elementary Summer School Celebrates Closing Like the Olympics

July 31, 2008 - Gold medal winners were celebrating across the Wake County Public School System Thursday with the completion of Title I elementary summer school programs.

Students from 34 elementary schools met from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. four days a week for four weeks at 17 WCPSS schools. Some schools worked together to serve students. Students from Briarcliff Elementary, Cary Elementary and Farmington Woods Elementary met for their summer classes at Farmington Woods Elementary. The summer school program was for students who qualify for services under the federal Title I grant.

Student interest in the classes has been high after educators came up with the idea of connecting the curriculum to the summer Olympics.

“Our theme is “Light the Passion, Share the Dream,” said Becky McGee, a Title I educator. “It’s what Beijing has chosen for their theme and we’ve piggybacked on their theme. We figure the children will be watching the Olympics in August, so what better way to go ahead and get a kick start.”

McGee says teachers have tied the instructional theme to goal setting and honoring students who meet their goal in an Olympic-style closing ceremony.

At Zebulon Elementary, summer school coordinator Janet Privette says the students from Wakelon and Zebulon elementary schools will be receiving Olympic 2008 Torch Gold Medals.

“Students are receiving achievement certificates and motivational pencils,” said Privette. “Gold Medal Awards and certificates will be given to the top reading, math and writing student in each classroom. The winning essay on the topic “My Olympic Dream” will be read aloud by the student author.”

At Yates Mill Elementary, Sara Johnson said the interactive programs were designed to meet the needs of individual students and differentiated instruction focused on areas that students need to strengthen.

“Title I has done a marvelous job of closely looking at the grade level’s curriculum and found programs that not only remediate, but bridge the gaps for students so that they can easily transition into the next grade,” said Johnson.

Educators agreed the program worked well with the small class size of 12 students to one teacher, teachers were dedicated to student success and the Title I staff provided helpful support, including the exciting Olympic theme.

McGee said Title I was also excited about attendance for the program. She said there was nearly 100 percent attendance for the program at Zebulon Elementary. The program was strong enough to have great attendance and capture compliments from parents.

“You must have the magic touch,” said a Zebulon Elementary parent. “My child has never been so talkative about school and what she has learned. She told us more in the last few weeks than the entire year before. She is really excited!”

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