THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 28, 1994 TAG: 9407270164
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 126 lines
WALK THE HALLS of Nansemond River and Lakeland high schools this month and you will see business as usual, but on a smaller scale.
It's summertime - but not yet vacation time - for the youngsters at the two Suffolk schools. The same is true for students at a few other area schools.
Some of the students have returned to class to catch up, others to forge ahead.
Fewer youngsters per classroom means more opportunity for individual attention and experimentation.
Jonathan Williams, 13, of Northbrooke Avenue in Suffolk, said he's attending for ``stuff that interests me.''
As a student in the ``Media Lab of the '90s'' course at Nansemond River, Jonathan is getting hands-on lessons this week in communications, basic electronics, photography and printing on paper and textiles.
``These students are learning in two weeks what they'd ordinarily learn through the school year,'' said Melvin ``Brad'' Bradshaw, Media Lab instructor. ``This is a crash course.''
The cost of the class is $55 for two weeks. The average summer school class price is $25.
But it is money well spent, according to Bradshaw.
The Media Lab students created their own notebooks, did their own binding on the school printing press, and processed film.
``They didn't know the process - taking film out of the camera, developing,'' Bradshaw said.
``It's interesting and challenging,'' said Wade Ashburn, 13, of Little Creek Road in Suffolk. ``I learned more about computers. And I didn't know what it was like developing pictures.''
Computers played a part in the Media Lab classes, and they were the focus of an Elementary Computer Course at Lakeland and Nansemond River high schools.
``We covered reading and math skills and basic computer operation,'' said Jacqueline Coppage, the instructor. ``The surprising thing is, I thought the kids would enjoy reading skills better than math. But they loved the math skills.''
And they say they loved the reward for a job well done - the chance to create graphic designs by computer.
``We do graphic printouts - a variety of such activities to keep them interested,'' Coppage said. ``Graphics are their reward.''
Parents also got a taste of summer school.
``Several of them sat in on our class, some of them participating,'' Coppage said. ``One parent decided to buy some of the same software we're using. That's a positive message.''
Even the little ones got the message. Kindergarteners through fifth-graders participated in the two-hour classes, which ended last week.
``They all understand the basic operation of the computer,'' Coppage said. ``Few kids have computers at home. You can tell which ones have them. They come here computer-literate.''
Eric James, 6, of Red Top Court, is typical of the first-timers.
``I wanted to learn computers,'' Eric said. ``I didn't know much about 'em at first. Now, I learned.''
Suffolk Public Schools also offered classes this summer in Spanish enrichment and elementary art with about 126 enrolled.
Another 360 students attended an elementary summer school remedial program.
And 156 eighth-graders who did not pass all three portions of the Literacy Passport Test - reading, writing and arithmetic - were required to attend summer school if they wanted to wind up in the ninth grade.
IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, classes are keeping 420 students busy this summer.
Second- through fifth-graders are involved in remedial work, strengthening their skills in the basics - reading, writing and math.
``We want to motivate students and to instill self-confidence to prevent slippage over the summer and to prepare upper-level students for the sixth-grade Literacy Passport Test,'' said Dr. H.E. Wainwright, superintendent of schools.
There is a similar test for rising sixth- through eighth- graders and ninth-graders who have not yet passed it. Summer school is helping those students prepare for the testing, too.
``Homework is required,'' Wainwright said of the summer school program. ``Students who do not prepare every day face a truly difficult time.''
IN ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY, construction and renovation projects kept space for summer school offerings to a minimum.
But 446 students attended a reading program for grades five through eight, a basic skills program for grades six through eight, and high school classes.
The programs, which ended July 22, focused on remediation.
IN FRANKLIN, United States and Virginia government classes, along with English and geometry, made up the curriculum for students in grades eight through 12 this summer.
Franklin also offered two lower school programs under the heading of Project SUCCESS, or Students Undergoing Continuous Coaching Expecting Success in their Skills.
The program was designed for children in kindergarten through grade 10 who scored in the bottom 25 percent on the Iowa tests for reading, comprehension or math, and those who did not pass all of their Literacy Passport tests.
And when they're done studying, they can still look forward to a little time off: Summer school ends Friday. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY
Color on the Cover: Christie Williams, a teacher's helper, works
with summer school student Armando Cox in computer class at
Nansemond River High.
All-in-one lesson, David DeLong gets practice in his computer and
language skills.
Instructor Jacqueline Coppage helps student Michael Matthews with
his computer applications.
Jacquelin Coppage discusses an assignment with students in the
Elementary Computer course at Nansemond River High.
Students like Dannielle Costin enjoyed the reward for a job well
done - the chance to computer graphics.
William King is the picture of concentration on his computer. ``The
surprising thing is, I thought the kids would enjoy reading skills
better than math. But they loved the math skills,'' instructor
Jacqueline Coppage said.
by CNB