TREK – Technology, Recreation, Enrichment, and Knowledge. These are the four principles that the 3-week Dedham Middle School Summer program is based upon.
For almost a decade now, a select, hand-picked team of experienced DMS teachers have “stayed behind” in school, after the final bell has rung.
The TREK program, originally created in 2005 by Dr. Cathy Oravetz and Dr. Don Langenhorst, was designed to help Dedham Middle School students entering grades 6, 7, and 8, complete portions of their Summer Math and Reading assignments. Over the years, much like the Dedham Public School system itself, this Summer program has evolved, and continues to strive to meet our community`s needs.
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Students, fortunate enough to be enrolled each year, are now offered Math strengthening skills, reading strategies, and creative writing assignments, along with science activities and keyboarding practice on the school`s computers.
These rotating sessions have been designed to not only help DMS students complete their Summer work, but to help improve their MCAS/school test scores.
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For the second consecutive year, Dedham Public Schools Technology Integrator, Judy Foley, has been chosen as the DMS TREK Program Coordinator. Before class got underway recently, we had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Foley and meet the 2014 TREK Team.
Quite humbly, Ms. Foley credits “communication and the team approach to teaching as the main reasons for TREK`s success.” “For students, especially those entering grade 6, this program is so valuable.” “TREK allows these youngsters to work independently and in team building groups right here at the school they`ll be attending this Fall.”
This year, over 140 students were accepted in to the program, and each year the “waiting list” continues to grow – not only for students, but for teachers as well. The 2014 TREK Team is made up of DMS teachers: Sue Lyons, Andrew Patterson, Phil Nerboso, Rebecca Huff, Carolynne (Downes) Noel, Marta Nigohosian, and Dan King, along with guidance counselor Kevin Quaranto. In addition to the efforts of these wonderful teachers, Ms. Foley has enlisted the help of over 2 dozen Dedham High School “student teachers” volunteering as part of their community service work.
In spite of the fact that it was almost 90 degrees and sunny outside, the students inside the Dedham Middle School were all smiling and happy, looking like one big team. Not only were they getting their required Summer work done, they were having a great time meeting new friends, becoming familiar with their surroundings and gaining confidence in themselves!
All of this reminds us of a pretty famous old saying – “so much can be accomplished, if it does not matter who gets the credit…”
Story and photos by: Joe Kilroy
