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WHEELING -- Summer school and science camp offerings are being expanded this summer for students in Ohio County Schools who want to learn more and make up for education lost during the pandemic.
Registration for this year's summer school and science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) camp programs already is underway. Those interested have until April 30 to register.
Many students struggled with their classes as they learned from home during the pandemic, and many good students actually started to fall behind, according to student services director Raquel McLeod. As such, school district administrators saw a need to provide the students additional learning opportunities this summer, especially in the areas of math, reading and science.
Transportation, breakfast and lunch will be provided for summer school and STEAM Camp programs.
A new feature this year is aftercare, available at each site from 2- 5 p.m. after each school day. Dinner will be provided to students.
"This is to help our working parents," McLeod explained.
— The Ohio County Schools Elementary Summer School Program for students in kindergarten through fifth grade will take place from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday through Friday, from June 22 through July 16 at Ritchie Elementary School.
— Elementary school STEAM camps for students in grades 3-5 will be held 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on weekdays beginning June 28 through July 2 at Bridge Street Middle School.
— The Ohio County Schools Middle School Summer School Program for students in grades 6-8 will take place 8:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at Bridge Street Middle School.
— Middle school STEAM camps for students in grades 6-8 will be held 8:30 a.m. -2 p.m. Monday through Friday at Bridge Street Middle School from June 22 through July 16. A separate Robotics and Maker Challenge Camp will take place there between June 28 through July 2, and an Audiovisual and Special Topic camp for video production is slated for July 12-16.
The programs are open to all students regardless of their grades, though attendance is being strongly suggested to students who are struggling academically.
No student is required to attend the summer courses.
"The students we were concerned about with grades ... they have already been sent an enrollment form," McLeod said. "But we're making it open to all students in Ohio County Schools."
She expects about 200 to attend, though there are no limits on how many can register.
"With the pandemic, we had a much smaller time this year with in-person learning," McLeod said. "The pandemic has affected students academically , as well as socially and emotionally. We know face-to- face instruction and learning are the most effective ways to educate our students.
"The students you would normally see excelling, not as far along. Want to use our summer sessions as a way to excel the students to their grade level and beyond."
Summer school Classes in the morning will be focused on reading and math content. In the afternoon, STEAM and enrichment activities will be scheduled.
STEAM camps, meanwhile, will offer robotics, maker space and audio-visual activities to students.
Information and enrollment information for the summer school and STEAM camp programs can be found at https://sites.google.com/wphs.ohio.k12.wv.us/2021ocssummersessions/home