School News

Technology key to summer learning in District 30

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Even though it’s summer, the lights are on at Clear Stream Avenue School and learning is continuing to take place. Almost every classroom is being used as about 200 children gather there every weekday morning to take part in District 30’s summer school program.

There are 165 students enrolled in the technology-rich general education program, where iPads, laptop computers and other electronics are regularly found out on desks and in children’s hands.

“That was our focus, to infuse more technology,” said summer school coordinator Erica Heumann. “Luckily, we have it all available throughout the school year.”

Another 44 students take part in a summer special education program, where they receive support from teachers, specialists and aides. Nicole Schimpf, the district’s director of special services, said these are students who require 12-month instruction, based on their individual educational plans.

Schimpf explained that most parents choose to send their children to District 30 for special education services in the summer, as opposed to an outside program. All classes at Clear Stream have a maximum of 12 children, and are supported by a certified teacher and two aides.

Peter Hansen, who will start in September as a special education teacher at Forest Road School, is one of the instructors this summer. He does group instruction with his class, while also spending one-on-one time with each child.

Hansen said he gets the time to work individually with students because the rest of the class can learn using their gadgets. There are numerous educational applications, or apps, available for iPads. “It’s really cool because it keeps the kids engaged,” he said. “It touches all different types of learning.”

He also makes his instruction relatable to current events. A few weeks ago, he used the World Cup soccer tournament as a springboard to learn about other cultures and geography.

Heumann said students for the general education program are selected based on teacher recommendations. While it is not mandatory, students are encouraged to attend as a way of getting additional support between school years.

Maria Quijano, who teaches fifth grade at Shaw Avenue School during the year, is working with the summer program for the second time. She focuses on reading comprehension and math skills.

Often Quijano can be found working with a small group of students, while others in the class use their laptops or iPads. Like in the special education program, the software selection is based on each child’s individual needs.

The technology also allows the students to work and learn independently, she explained.

Incoming kindergarten students are selected for the program based upon their results in a preliminary screening. Maura Brennan, who works with some of these children, focuses on identifying letters and sounds, name writing, and numbers up to 10.

Brennan said she wants to ensure that the children start kindergarten in September with the basic skills they need to be successful.

Students entering grades 3-4 wrap up their mornings by taking part in a video game-building program, while fifth- and sixth-graders do Lego robotics. “These are such interactive and engaging activities,” Schimpf said, “that promote 21st century learning.”

Brandon Gopie and Giovanni Pisciotta, both entering sixth grade at Shaw, take part in Lego robotics. “I learned stuff that I never knew you could do with Legos,” Pisciotta said.

Gopie said he likes using computers to turn Legos into a real life sculpture. Spending his summer mornings at school, he added, isn’t as bad as it seems. “It’s fun,” he said, “because we have nothing to do over the summer.”

The summer school program runs through Aug. 8 and the special education classes wrap up a week later.