Richmond County Schools purchased $140,000 in school supplies equipped for each classroom participating in the summer camp classes. Everything from reading and math materials, to ukuleles and Pickleball sets, are included.
Matthew Sasser | Daily Journal
Dr. Kate Smith updated the Richmond County Schools Board of Education on the summer camp classes.
Matthew Sasser | Daily Journal
HAMLET — Summer camp is in full swing this June for Richmond County Schools students.
Richmond Senior High School and the Ninth Grade Academy begin their first summer school session on June 8. Elementary and middle schools, along with Ashley Chapel Educational Center, begin their first session on June 14.
About 1,025 elementary school students have already signed up.
“This is about 30-40% of their population,” said Dr. Kate Smith, executive director of curriculum and instruction. “That’s a pretty big number for summer camp and what it was intended to do.”
House Bill 82 was signed by Governor Roy Cooper on April 1, which mandates that all school districts must provide a summer program for at-risk K-12 students. The at-risk determination is based on a student’s grades and attendance.
Just over 400 middle schools students have enrolled for the summer camp courses, which is between 20-30% of their student body. Smith said that approximately 500 students have indicated that they are coming between grades 9-12, but that number won’t be finalized until the end of this week.
A 12:1 student to teacher ratio will be maintained throughout all the summer camp classes. A virtual option is not available.
Field trips engage each grade level
Students will be able to go on field trips that align with themes that they’re learning in the classroom.
For example, K-2 students will be doing an owl pellet dissection experiment that will culminate with a trip to the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. That particular theme, “Walk on the Wild Side,” will be a part of art and music lessons as well.
Smith said that every trip is set up very purposefully. The “Flying into the Future” theme will include visits to different police and fire departments.
Middle schoolers will be visiting a local miniature golf course to add extra insight into a theme of engineering and physics. One of their projects will be to design a miniature golf course of their own.
“Our big thing for middle school is all about your career,” Smith said.
The “Imagine Your Future” theme includes a trip to Richmond Community College and UNC-Pembroke.
The transition to a student’s next tool will also be a part of the summer camp. Fifth graders will get a chance to visit their middle school for the upcoming year and eighth graders will be touring the NGA.
Classroom supply bag feature unique tools
RCS purchased $140,000 in supply bags that will support learning in the classroom.
Basic reading, math and science materials are included, but so is everything from ukuleles, Pickleball sets to STEM science kits.
“We worked with our principals to make sure that every classroom was fully stocked,” Smith said.
Students can graduate through credit recovery
The North Carolina Department of Instruction has determined that students who graduate on or before August 6 can still be included as a 2020-2021 school year graduate.
The previously established deadline was July 15.
RSHS students who participate in a scheduled summer school session from July 12 to August 4 will have an opportunity to obtain all the credits they need to graduate along with their classmates.
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Reach Matthew Sasser at 910-817-2671 or msasser@www.yourdailyjournal.com.
