This summer, over 1,000 students are participating in the School District of Monroe’s Summer School programming. A majority of the classes are being held at Monroe Middle School this summer during two three week sessions running June 17th — July 3rd and July 8th — July 26th. Students are participating in credit recovery courses, academic support and enrichment classes, and recreational programming led by dedicated instructional and support staff. Todd Paradis, the Parkside Elementary School Principal, serves as the principal for the first session and Brianna Cleary, an Art Teacher at Northside Elementary School, 

A vast majority of the students attending summer school attend one of the five district schools during the regular school year. However, we do have students that attend St. Vic’s School and are home-schooled attend our summer programs. Additionally, we also have students from other area school districts pay tuition to attend our summer classes. 

There is a financial benefit to the district provided by running such an expansive summer school program. Last year, the student hours of instruction accumulated during the summer provided additional students our third Friday in September count which allowed for an additional state aid. Because the district maintains low student-to-staff ratios in our summer programming, we don’t actually make much money after paying our staffing costs for the summer. However, the benefits of such an expansive summer school program extend beyond district finances.

First of all, a majority of our students come from households where both parents work. Our summer school programs not only help families save money on childcare, but they also provide structured and organized activities for their children for nearly two-thirds of the summer. The classes work not only to reduce the “summer slide” that comes from the gap in instruction over the summer but it also keeps students in a set routine for five days a week. This helps students and families manage their daily schedules and also allows for continued support from school personnel for students that receive additional counseling or academic support during the school year.

Secondly, the district runs an expanded summer nutrition program in conjunction with our summer school programming. Any student or member of their family can eat breakfast or lunch at the Middle School when summer school is in session, whether they participate in summer school or not. These meals are free to all individuals 18 and under and are available for a small fee to adults. It is not unusual to have parents, grandparents, or even babysitters joining students for those these meals.

Lastly, the district can use summer programming to offer activity-based and enrichment courses that we are not able to offer during the school year. State certification requirements are not as strict for summer school, so these classes are an opportunity for many staff to share their personal interests and talents with students, even if it is in an area that the teacher does not hold a specific license for (or the state doesn’t offer a license in that area). There is a limited amount of instructional hours during the school year, and many of these hours are taken up by required coursework. Summer school is a chance to learn about different subjects and try new things that simply don’t fit into the regular school year.

So, when you find parking at a premium around 8 a.m. and again at noon in June and July during the week, please understand that what is happening at summer school is important for our students, staff, and families for a variety of reasons.

Have a wonderful month of July and GO CHEESEMAKERS!!

— Rick Waski is the district administrator for the School District of Monroe. He can be reached at 608-328-7109 or rickwaski@monroe.k12.wi.us.