ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, July 18, 1996 TAG: 9607180077
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
THOUGH NOT ALL FUN and games, Roanoke's summer school program helps students hone their skills in preparation for the fall in a setting that is, well, cool.
Chris Lewis defies the conventional wisdom.
He likes to go to school - even in the summer.
"You get to play on the computer. We've sent messages to Atlanta and the Olympic games," Lewis said. "We also sent a message to Shaquille O'Neal."
But school in the summer is not all computer games and fun for the rising fifth-grader at Wasena Elementary in Roanoke. There are math, reading and writing lessons, too.
"You get another opportunity to show you can do better," Lewis said. "You work hard so that when you go into the fifth grade you already know the stuff and you can pass."
Lewis is attending a six-week session that is designed to help elementary children retain and sharpen their basic math, reading and language skills during the summer.
It's not a formal year-round school program, but it effectively serves that purpose for about 330 elementary children.
"The program serves as an extended school year to help the children maintain their skills," said Mary Hackley, director of elementary education. "We want to keep a continuity for them."
Hackley said the summer program, which began several years ago, has some features of year-round school although the city doesn't use that name.
Teachers recommend children whom they believe will benefit from the summer session. The children are urged to attend, but it usually is not mandatory, Hackley said.
In a few cases, a child's promotion to the next grade is contingent on attending the classes, she said. The city doesn't use the state compulsory attendance law to require the children to take the classes if they choose not to do so in these cases, but they are not promoted.
Megan Price, a rising third-grader at Grandin Court Elementary, enjoys the math and reading lessons. She likes the computer math games.
Sarah Mauck, a rising fifth-grader at Garden City Elementary, said the summer session is more fun than regular school because classes are smaller and teachers give more attention to pupils.
"We also get to use the computers more than we do in the regular school year," said Laqueda Hill, a rising fifth-grader at Wasena.
The summer program also includes storytelling sessions and field trips in the Roanoke Valley.
The children visit the Virginia Museum of Transportation, City Market, Hotel Roanoke, Dixie Caverns and other attractions.
Craig Drewry, a teacher in the summer session, entertains them with his fairy tales and stories of witchcraft. Drewry tries to keep them attentive by quizzing them on details of his stories when he has finished.
The summer classes are being held at Wasena and Forest Park schools with pupils and teachers coming from all parts of the city. About 155 children attend the classes at Wasena and 175 at Forest Park.
"We meet new people, but it will be hard to leave them at the end of the summer," said Mauck.
Terrie Haley, curriculum coordinator for the Wasena classes, said the summer session's theme is linked to this year's Olympics. It is called "Going for the Gold: Lighting the Torch to Learning."
Haley, a teacher at Round Hill Primary School during the regular year, said many class activities are linked to the Olympics to help motivate the children and make learning more fun and topical.
The classes have no more than 15 children, she said. With small classes, teachers can provide more one-on-one instruction.
"If we make a mistake in our work, the teachers will help us," Lewis said. "If we have a problem with math, we can ask for help."
He said no one laughs when a pupil asks for special help from a teacher.
"If you get low grades in math, this can help you raise them so you can pass the next grade," Hill said.
"My favorite thing about this summer is the teachers," Price said. "They help you so much."
"There is also cooperative learning in the summer session with a system of reading buddies," Haley said. "Children in the higher grades read to those in the lower grades."
The classes last four hours a day - from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The children said this leaves them time in the afternoon to do other things during the summer.
The city provides bus transportation for the children to attend the classes.
Haley said the six-week summer session "can make a world of difference" for children who are having trouble with their studies.
"It can be a gain for all of them, but especially those who are trying to keep up," she said. "The teachers try to make learning fun."
One teacher gives points to children who complete their homework and do good work. The children can convert the points to money, which they can use to bid on candy, toys and other items that are offered at a weekly auction.
"They get a reward for doing their work and it teaches them math because they have to keep account of points and money when they're bidding on items," said Haley.
James Smith, principal of the summer session at Wasena, said the children seem to get excited about the classes after the first few days. Some parents are eager to get their children into the program, he said.
Smith said he believes that year-round schools would benefit many children and help them learn basic skills better.
Hackley said the school system would like to serve more children in the program, but the funds are limited.
"We could serve more if we had the money," she said. "I think there's a lot to be said for the maintenance of children's basic skills during the summer."
LENGTH: Long : 111 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: CINDY PINKSTON/Staff. 1. Above, Craig Drewry tells theby CNBstory of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves to students Wednesday at Wasena
Elementary School in Roanoke. 2. At left (from left to right), Anh
Pham, Terrail Steptoe, and Courtney Johnson, all age 7, listen to
Drewry's storytelling. And they better, since he generally quizzes
students when he's done. color.