While most hallways in our district are empty and quiet during the summer, the hallways at Dryden Elementary School are full of laughter and fun! This is the fifth year that the district has funded its free Lion in the Sun Summer Academic Program, where students from all three elementary schools can attend. This four-week, half-day program focuses on helping K-3 students maintain their skills and avoid the dreaded summer slump!
Co-coordinators Stephanie Burns and Charl Wojcik have led this amazing program, alongside other dedicated Dryden staff. Their goal is to approach learning with fun through hands-on experiences and activities. This creates an environment where students are so engaged that they don’t even realize they are learning. Selected by their classroom teachers, students in this unique program receive targeted support in small groups to help reinforce their skills.
The program’s success is also backed by strong evidence. Research shows that structured summer academic programs help students avoid the 'summer slide,' and when these are paired with the kind of targeted, small-group instruction our students receive, the impact is even greater—yielding significant percentile gains and providing a solid foundation for the upcoming school year.
When asked about their favorite parts of the day, Stephanie Burns discussed the unstructured times, such as when the kids come off the bus smiling. She likes talking to the students while they are at lunch or during their special time. She stressed the importance of the relationships that are forming, which will carry into the school year. Charl Wojcik shared that her favorite time is teaching reading because, although the expectations are still high, the pace allows for a more relaxed and supportive environment. Students also thrive during this program because they are not only working in smaller groups, but also with peers around the same level, which boosts their confidence. When campers were asked about their favorite part of the summer program, Fred, an incoming 4th grader, said, “Camp is good to see friends. Everything is good about camp!” Kayleigh, another incoming 4th grader, said, “My favorite thing is doing math games!”
The Lion in the Sun Program is grateful for the support from Cheryl Covell and Josh Bacigalupi to help keep the program running. This unique summer learning experience is helping our students grow and succeed during the summer months. #LionPride!