The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
School unveils summer extended learning plan
Horizon Science Academy students can work toward graduation credits and receive help in summer school.
Students at Horizon Science Academy of Lorain, 760 Tower Blvd., can work toward earning missed or failed credits, in-person learning and intervention during the school’s new summer school program.
Assistant principal and community engagement coordinator Jayson Bendik said about 250 of the school’s 800 students are invited to take part in the program.
“It’ll be a laser focus on academics and lots of rigorous instruction,” Bendik said.
The extended learning plan will be offered to students in K-12.
The program will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., four days a week.
Students who participate will receive education, breakfast, lunch and the option of bus transportation, he said.
“We’re really excited to offer bussing for all of our students,” Bendik said. “We haven’t been able to offer bussing for our high school
students.
“They’re included, though, so this is a big deal.”
With students and parents showing an interest in the program, Bendik said he needed to ask teachers to give up part of the summer to participate.
Although they’re being
compensated, Bendik said he understood if teachers were hesitant to sign up.
However, he said he received a massive response from staff.
“We got an overwhelming response with teachers saying, ‘I’ll help out wherever I can,’” Bendik said.
“They’re mission driven and want to help cover that achievement gap.”
Cristina Woskobunik, elementary school assistant principal at Horizon Science Academy, said the selection of students was based on teacher recommendations, student performance, assessments and assignment completion.
Students could have struggled during school for several reasons, Woskobunik said.
“Some of the students are hands-on learners and need that space to learn,” she said. “There are other situations where the parent might be present and can’t give that guidance.”
Bendik said the summer program will take four to six weeks, depending on the grade level for the students.
Older students will have longer courses because they have more information to cover, he said.
“Some of these kids, it may take them almost a year to even catch up,” Bendik said. “While we only have four to six weeks, we think that’s better than nothing.
“We are doing something to curve those remediations for students and get them back on track.”
He said he hopes being in school can help relieve the students of stress, distractions and barriers they might have at home.
“I know of some students who had to help raise their younger siblings because their parents worked during the (novel coronavirus) pandemic,” Bendik said. “There are also a lot of distractions at home.
“As educators, we have empathy for students and appreciation for the regular school day. We saw how difficult it was throughout the year. It was even challenging for us.”
There are some students who are invited to participate in the program as part of an intervention to keep them from getting too far behind, Bendik said.
Although there are some students who are behind, he said he and the teachers understand there are barriers for students.
“We’ve been working to make meetings, events, communication and anything the students or parents need accessible, whether it be food, housing, tech support or anything else,” Bendik said. “We want to eliminate any barriers on our end to ensure the students have the best opportunity to learn.”