By Joe Kingsley Eyiah, Teacher, Brookview Middle School, Toronto

Summer school begins for elementary students in Ontario Province of Canada on July 3, this year. It has already begun for college and university students in the province since May 3. Every year summer school is organized for students. Is it necessary for some students to go to school during the time that the school year has ended and schools are officially on holidays? What benefits does summer school offer students and parents? Is summer school the best option for students instead of holidays? I will try to address the above questions in this brief discourse on summer school.

Let me say what summer school isn?t to begin with. Summer school is not the place or time to ?baby-sit? students. It is not fun time for students and teachers who participate in it. Neither is it ?meet-me-there? opportunity for buddies!

What Summer School Is:

Summer school for elementary and secondary school students is organized each year as a remedial program. Many of the students who attend this program are recommended to it by their teachers with the support of their parents. Remedial Academic Summer School Programs:

This program provides students in grades 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 with summer school assistance.

For grades 3, 6, 7 and 8 there are 2 programs: 1. Remedial Assistance for students who are achieving at Level 2 or below in mathematics and/or English; 2. English as a Second Language for students acquiring English as a new language who require help in speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. For students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 the summer remedial program provides an opportunity to develop literacy or numeracy skills and concepts in preparation for success at the next grade level or on mandated tests. This is a non-credit program.

Summer School at College/University Level:

However, summer school courses for college and university students are designed as credit program to assist to acquire credits to either shorten the length of their academic programs or catch up with some credits they need before the next academic year. Unfortunately, not all courses are available on the summer school programs. Students need to check with their faculties for the available courses.

The Truth About Summer School:

Whatever level you look at the academic summer school program one fact stands tall. It is very intensive. The workload is heavy and it requires the student?s prompt attention to completing and submitting all assignments on time. Teachers at summer school have very short time within which to teach the prescribed curriculum, assess students? performance and report on students? achievement. Summer school therefore places a heavy responsibility on students to work hard in the short time frame to achieve goals set for the program. There is the need for students and teachers involved with the program to take summer school serious. Students should be focused on the program. They should therefore seek out those who are helpful not destructive. Watch your behavior and attitude towards learning! Respect your teachers and other students. Be prepared to lend a helping hand to the other student who needs your help. It will be better to stay away from summer jobs during the time that you are in summer school.

To our summer school teachers, teaching is still teaching! Remember, teaching is not just about impacting knowledge. It is also about changing lives. So endeavor to make a difference in the lives of students you teach this summer. You must allow students and parents too to teach you during this brief period of facilitating the learning and teaching process.

Parents, you must be the parents you have always been to your children even if they are at summer school. Take summer school as serious as regular school and help your students to achieve success. You are the stabilizing factor in the lives of your children so continue to parent them as usual, setting the boundaries and making sure they use their time profitably for a successful summer school this year and always. Happy summer school to all!