Maries R-1 Elementary Principal Shanda Snodgrass reported to the school board members at the May meeting that the students are having a great time with summer school. They are keeping busy with hands-on learning and reportedly enjoying all of it.

She also reported that this summer’s program with Catapult Learning’s Summer Journey, has increased the summer school enrollment to an all time high of 107 on the highest attendance day. In comparison, when questioned by board member Joe Barnhart, Snodgrass said the highest summer school enrollment she remembers is ever is about 80 with attendance at about 60. “There was never this much attendance,” she told the board, adding she thinks next year’s summer school numbers will be even larger when students who are participating this summer talk to other students, who in turn will want to attend next summer. 

Snodgrass reported there are six teachers in this year’s program from grades K through 5. There are also five helpers as there are a lot of kids in each classroom and the helpers “have been invaluable to our success,” said Snodgrass. There is no before or after school care this summer because the district was able to provide more bus routes. The last day of summer school is June 21.

Snodgrass shared some of the student answers to the question of what their favorite thing they’ve learned about in summer school. Fourth and fifth grade students say “Cooking because we make fun things,” and “learning how to build simple machines.” Second graders and third graders say “Pirate Camp,” and “learning how to be a spy.” “Gravity makes things fall,” was a response from first grade as well as “if you use the air inside your head, a balloon can’t float up.” Kindergartners have said “Learning your letters,” “listening is really important,” and “that nap time is pretty good.”

Also in her report to the school board, Snodgrass said Lizzie Chambers was the April/May Star Student of the Month.

May activities included third and fourth grade students participating in Safety Day. Multi-Culture Week was held and each class focused on learning about countries and cultures, including Japan, Mexico, Italy, Brazil, China and Africa. A Chill and Grill Testing Completion party was held and also an Elementary Track and Field Day.

Snodgrass thanked the board members for providing breakfast to staff during Teacher Appreciation Week.