Program gives new meaning to summer school

LYNN – Intensive tutoring is the way of the future for helping public school students sharpen skills during summer vacation, a top local educator said this week.”That shows the most promise to really getting to students in the future. It’s a wonderful change in the way we provide expanded learning time,” said Deputy School Superintendent Jaye Warry.The public schools launched nearly two dozen summer programs this week offering students a roughly equal mix of fun and classroom work, including two focused on tutoring.Thirty kindergartners identified by teachers as children who need extra preparation are working on mathematics and reading with four teachers.”This is intensive and focused on getting kids ready: It’s the first time we’ve ever tried something like this,” Warry said.Warry said public school teachers are also tutoring students attending local child care programs this summer. Warry launched the tutoring programs after parents raised concerns about losing hard-to-get slots in local child care agencies if they pulled their child out of the programs during the summer to attend summer school.”I said, ?We’ll send the tutors to the school,'” she said.Most summertime high school and middle school programs are aimed at orienting sixth-graders to middle school, giving students science and art study experience and introducing high school students to the college search process.About 1,000 elementary school students spend their mornings sharpening reading and mathematics skills. Teacher Tina Benedetto works with Sisson School first-graders helping them get ready for second grade.The eight children in her class read books with titles like “Oh Cats” and “Fancy Nancy.””They keep their skills fresh, and they love it,” Benedetto said.Jen Frallicciardi enrolled twins, Ava and Ginari, in the Sisson summer program after teachers recommended the twins get additional school help before starting second grade.”It’s a fantastic program. It will help them with their foundation, and that’s important to me,” she said.Ginari Frallicciardi and Adijat Liad said their parents read to them some of the books they talk about on summer days with Benedetto.”Books can take you into an adventure,” said Liad.Warry said summer reading help is also available at the parent information center located in the school administration building on Bennett Street. Parents who come to the center to register children for school can meet with bilingual teachers and get tips on reading at home. Center workers also hand out reading and math books.Warry urged parents of sixth-graders to call their child’s middle school to find out when August orientation sessions are scheduled.