In days long past, summer school may have once been viewed as a chore, a duty, or a necessity – something to just get through until the “real” summer started.

Those days, if they ever existed, are truly long past.

In addition to the Extended School Year (ESY), Instrumental Music Camp (IMC), and Summer Bridges programs, summer enrichment classes that were offered for 2018 were Music Theater Camp, Instrument Explorers, and MasterChef, Jr.

Not only did students and staff learn a lot, they really had a blast.

Bill Timmins, assistant principal at Friendship Junior High who oversaw the summer programming, was very proud of the efforts staff put forth to provide the students with a quality experience.

“I cannot state enough how amazing the teaching staff is. Every teacher, whether in Bridge, Enrichment, IMC, or ESY, has blown me away with what they planned for the students and with the learning that happened in their rooms,” he said. “I know how special summer vacations are to everyone, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to all that have given up a portion of theirs to spend it with us.”

As the summer programming comes to a close this week, in their own words, here is what students shared about their learning experience in summer school:

What was your favorite thing you learned?

• “We learned the ‘Yellow Submarine’ song. It’s a song that I never knew, and I wanted to learn it right away.” Naira Sainsi, 6th grader at Grove Junior High, about IMC
  
• “We learned how to make grilled cheese on the waffle iron, and that was really good! The breakfast sushi was also really good.” Christopher McDavid, 8th grader at Friendship, about Master Chef, Jr.
• “I learned how to play the trumpet. It’s kind of funny because it makes a different sound and you have to clean out the spit.” Andrew Somenek, 4th grader at Clearmont, about Instrument Explorers
• “My favorite thing was how to make an apple pie using a waffle iron.” Emily Cisneros, 6th grader at Grove, about Master Chef Jr.
• “Singing! I really like to sing the song ‘Firefly.’” Max Kost, 3rd grader at Devonshire, about Music Theater Camp

What did you like best about coming to school over the summer?

• “It was really fun and you got to meet new people. I wish it was a little bit longer!” Christopher McDavid, 8th grader at Friendship, about Master Chef, Jr.
• “We learned how to make a pan flute. I like to play it.” Zia Valdez, 4th grader at Admiral Byrd, about Instrument Explorers
• “I liked getting to play all of the instruments. We played electric piano, trumpet and guitar.” Andrew Somenek, 4th grader at Clearmont, about Instrument Explorers
• “My favorite thing that I learned was math. We did a lot of fun math stuff.” Samuel Ruiz, 4th grader at Salt Creek, about Summer Bridge program
• “I met new people and had fun.” Daniel Franke, 7th grader at Grove, about IMC

What would you tell your parents or friends about your experience?

• “I would tell them that they should go next year because it was really fun and you get to learn at the same time.” Emily Cisneros, 6th grader at Grove, about Master Chef Jr.
• “We worked hard to make the show!” Aleks Godowski, 3rd grader at Devonshire, about Music Theater Camp
• “It was cool and fun. I would ask my parents to come back next year!” Zia Valdez, 4th grader at Admiral Byrd, about Instrument Explorers
• “I had fun, I played in the park, I read my words, and I did writing.” Levon Scott, 1st grader at Robert Frost, about Summer Bridge program
• “This was the best summer ever!” Himani Nara, 3rd grader at Forest View, about Music Theater Camp