This is one summer time activity that doesn’t need a slide to be fun.
More than 70 Burr Elementary students are spending five weeks this summer polishing up their math and reading skills so they can hit the ground running in the fall.
“I like it because I’m still learning, but I’m also having fun,” said Joey Soggins, who will be going to Davis Junior High School this fall as a seventh grader.
The goal, according to Burr teachers, is to make sure students don’t lose the academic ground they gained through the school year.
“Our goal is to prevent the summer slide,” said Burr teacher Melissa Gronzo. “We are very proud that Burr is a reward school, and we want to do everything that we can make sure our students have the support they need.”
A “Reward” school designation is the highest ranking schools can received from the State of Michigan and recognizes schools that have a high level of academic performance and have closed the gap between the achievement levels of students.
Using a federal grant, Burr teachers are reinforcing math and reading lessons for students for four days each week through July.
Students are also supplementing their experiences with field trips to the Sterling Heights library and Beaumont Hospital.
“You don’t want to stop learning,” said Brianna Kopp, who is also on her way to Davis Junior High. “You still need to make sure you are not losing what you gained through the school year.”
Burr staff coordinating the learning experiences are Barb Churray, Vicky Carlin, Shalyn Weemas, Stephanie Talan, Rachel Sutter, Alicia Peila, Christine Henry, Christine Sandison and Melissa Gronzo.
