COOKEVILLE – The Putnam County School System will be launching a four-week Summer Learning Camp and Bridge Camp June 1 – 28, 2021 at no cost to families. A survey will be sent out March 15-26 to gauge the interest of parents who might register their child/children in the summer camps.
“We have been very fortunate to stay in school during the COVID-19 pandemic and that is because we have outstanding teachers, administrators and staff that care deeply and are passionate about the education of Putnam County students. However, learning loss and gaps can take place when events, like COVID-19, impact school learning. That is why the Tennessee Learning Loss Remediation and Student Acceleration Act is requiring that school districts offer summer programs to address those learning losses and gaps created by the pandemic,” said Corby King, director of schools for the PCSS. “The survey being sent out next week is important for every parent to complete so that we know how many children will register in the summer program and we can prepare accordingly. We will provide a fun and safe environment for every student as our certified teachers help students get ready for the next grade this summer.”
There will be a Summer Learning Camp for students currently in Kindergarten – fourth grade and a Bridge Camp for students currently in fifth – seventh grade from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. These camps are operated by the PCSS and certified teachers will be leading students in and out of the classroom. Summer curriculum combines academics and fun into a complete learning experience. A day for a student registered in camp looks like this:
Summer Learning Camps
- Students entering grades one-five (current K-four)
- Six hours of daily programming
- Daily programming includes four hours of reading and math instruction, one hour
of intervention and one hour of physical activity or “play”
- Four days per week for four weeks
- Friday STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, Math) mini-camp.
Bridge Camps
- Students entering grades six-eight (current five-seven grades)
- Six hours of daily programming
- Daily programming must include four hours of reading and math instruction, one hour of intervention and one hour of physical activity or “play”
- Four days per week for four weeks (LEAPS will be available on Friday if childcare is needed.)
Students are not required to attend the Summer Learning Camps, but those registered will have their attendance taken each day and a state-adopted pre and post assessment will take place.
“This assessment is so we can track the student’s progress during the four weeks. This program is going to incorporate fun within four hours a day of math and reading instruction as well as an hour each day for physical activity” said Jill Ramsey, Pre-K-four instructional supervisor for the PCSS. “STREAM Fridays will allow students to take fun field trips to surrounding parks and to participate in activities related to STREAM.”
LEAPS is blending this summer with the Summer Learning Camps, so if a student typically enrolls in LEAPS for the summer, the student will go to the camp in their specific grade.
“The reason for the blend is to provide early drop-off and late pick-up for parents,” said Brenda Hughett, Extended Learning Program coordinator. “During the day, all students will be participating in the summer learning curriculum and activities.”
Camps will meet 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Before and after camp care is available through LEAPs from 6-8 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. Parents will need to enroll their children in LEAPS to have before/after camp care. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided for students. Transportation for students will be available through LEAPs, and locations for the camps are still being determined. More information will go out to parents as soon as all the details are finalized.
“We are looking forward to seeing our students in June. Right now, the most important thing we need is for all parents to be looking for the survey next week and complete it so we can prepare for their children to have a great learning opportunity this summer,” said Ramsey. “It is going to be a great time of learning and fun.”