By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
In response to greater needs than expected, Bowling Green City School District has expanded its summer school program to help struggling students.
Superintendent Francis Scruci explained at Tuesday evening’s board meeting that the initial plan to serve 72 elementary students in summer school has been tripled. It became clear that more students would need the extra weeks of school to catch up this summer, he said.
“It was troubling that we were going to serve such a small number of students,” Scruci said.
Teachers will recommend the students most in need of summer school.
The goal is to try to close the gap for students who have struggled with remote learning. Bowling Green City Schools students went 11 months without in-person classes.
Funding from the Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Act will be used to provide the summer learning.
As it is now, summer school will be offered to 218 elementary students, 100 middle school students, and credit recovery help will be offered to high school students. The kindergarten through eighth grade focus will be on English language arts, math, and social-emotional skills.
Letters will be sent home to parents of children recommended for summer school. It will be up to the parents to approve participation, Scruci said.
The kindergarten through eighth grade summer school is planned for June 14 to July 1, Mondays through Thursdays, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
The high school summer school is scheduled for June 21 to July 16, Mondays through Fridays, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Transportation, breakfast and lunch will be provided. There will be no cost to families.
Scruci said an anonymous member of the community has donated $25,000 to help offset the costs of the summer school, and $7,000 from a flower fundraiser will also help with the expenses.
However, Scruci said the district is aware that summer school won’t make up for all the lost learning during COVID.
“Three weeks isn’t going to fill the gaps that we have, so we’re very concerned about next year,” he said.
So for next year, the district is using grant funds to hire five reading specialists for the three elementary schools, six part-time tutors for grades 6 to 12, one behavioral specialist, and two social workers.
In other business, Scruci said the district needs bus drivers and substitute teachers. On Tuesday, the district was short five bus drivers, none due to COVID.
Also, the board accepted the retirement of Mary Lou Zwiebel, music teacher at Conneaut Elementary School. Zwiebel taught at BGCS for 25 years, and “left her mark on a lot of kids,” Scruci said.
