There were a lot of smiling faces, of both students and teachers, during last Thursday’s session of the Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 Summer Learning Program at Prospect School.
The program began June 11 and runs through June 29 with 90 course offerings and about 630 students, many of whom are taking multiple classes.
“The kids really do seem to enjoy being here,” said Rocky May, the summer program coordinator who also is assistant principal of Hinsdale Middle School. “We want to have an energy and excitement about learning,
“We try to promote that there’s always something to learn. Summer does seem to be more laid back, and they get to do some things that wouldn’t be the case during the regular school year.”
That’s exactly what Angie Golden said about the elementary sculpture class she’s teaching this summer.
“I’ve been teaching summer school here for eight years, and sculpture always is the most fun,” Golden said. “You can only do so much with it during the school year, but our whole focus is on it during the summer, and it’s very hands on.”
Mario Guisto, who begins third grade this fall at Oak School, said the summer program offers a nice change from the traditional school year.
“I like making things, and we get to pick what it is in the summer, instead of the teacher picking it,” Mario said. “It’s fun because you get to do what you want to do, not what you have to do.”
Danielle Brauweiler is a former District 181 employee who now works elsewhere as a school librarian, but returned for her third consecutive year as a summer program teacher.
Her class, “Books and Building Club,” combines the reading of two books, one at the start of the session and one toward the end of it, with students building their own structures, using a variety of toys and blocks.
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“I always incorporate something with reading in my classes, and I added the building to this one because I felt like kids aren’t building enough anymore,” Brauweiler said. “This is an opportunity for them to be creative.”
Leo Fronza, who begins second grade this fall at Monroe School, said he enjoyed the opportunity to build things in his summer class.
“I like it a lot,” he said. “We wouldn’t usually get to do this in school, but it makes coming to summer school fun.”
Margot Packer, who begins first grade this fall at Madison School, had a similar take.
“I like building stuff; I’m building a house,” she said. “Summer school is fun because we get to do different stuff, just like we’re doing here.”
