Beaumont ISD is preparing to welcome at least 5,000 elementary school students back to campus this summer for what officials are calling a “historic” free summer learning program.
“We are excited to offer a face-to-face learning environment for our elementary students,” said Jenny Angelo, executive director of curriculum and instruction, in a statement. “It is simply better for our younger students to see and talk to each other in-person and to make connections with their teacher.”
With fluctuating numbers of in-person attendance and low engagement on virtual programs, district leaders have cited summer school as a major first step in recovering lost learning time from the “COVID slide.” The program also will help to avoid general summer learning loss.
“We have had many elementary students who have been virtual all year and so isolated from their peers as a result,” Angelo said. “Quite a few parents have reached out to us stating that they finally feel comfortable with bringing their child to face-to-face instruction. So, I am excited about these students reconnecting with their friends and teachers, being able to talk, laugh and learn with their peers.”
Registration is now open for all BISD elementary school students on the school district’s website. Monday is the deadline to sign up for the free program.
“This past year has been difficult for many of our students,” BISD Superintendent Shannon Allen said in a district message. “We want to ensure that they are receiving the extra support needed to successfully transition to the next grade level.”
Transportation will be provided as well as free breakfast and lunch.
Allen said the goal is “to get as many students as we can get enrolled but no less than 5,000 students this summer.”
Books, journals and training opportunities will be available for parents who are not comfortable sending their students to school in person.
The district is planning summer learning and credit retrieval opportunities for middle and high school students as well, for a $20 fee per semester of course to be recovered. However, discounts are available for economically disadvantaged students.
The programs will run online only from June 16 through July 8.
Students can complete work on their own time, according to the district. They will have the opportunity to recover credits they may have failed during the school year in English, math, science or history.
Registration for these programs will be handled through campus counselors at the end of the school year, according to the district.
Last summer, all summer school was virtual because of the pandemic. More than 2,300 secondary students took advantage of the program, and more than 500 elementary students picked up summer learning activities, according to the district.
“Our parents have done an amazing job supporting their child’s learning at home, but children greatly need the structure that a school setting can provide,” Angelo said. “We have had so many disruptions this year that will lead to learning gaps, so we would love for parents to take advantage of the summer session to help solidify their child's learning and rectify some learning gaps they might have from this unique and challenging year.”
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