Clovis schools offering summer education

Summer education opportunities await students in Clovis public schools with programs aimed at kindergarten through eighth graders, and high school students.

A Summer Youth Program aimed at kindergarten through middle-school students will run for five weeks from June 6 to July 21. Class sessions meet four days a week.

The program features activities in sports, self-improvement, the arts, and science, according to a schedule presented by Julie Howell, one of the program’s coordinators, said. Howell is principal of Mesa Elementary School.

John Howell, principal of the Clovis High School Freshman Academy, is the other coordinator.

Sports activities include football, cheerleading, volleyball, basketball, soccer, wrestling, tennis, baseball and softball, among others. Self-improvement programs include community safety, food and culture, building mind and body, and jobs and careers. Science-oriented programs include subject areas like robots and drones; and fine arts program include art, music, drama and dance.

In addition, the program offers “high dosage” tutoring in reading and mathematics for an hour each day to fit students’ schedules during the program.

“One of the unique features of the program is that parents can have their student participate all five weeks from start to finish, or can sign their student up for certain strands, or only for certain weeks,” Howell wrote in an email.

Howell added that teachers, educational assistants, and high-school student interns will participate in instruction.

“The overarching goal of the program is to teach students that learning can be fun by engaging them in activities that are high interest,” Howell stated.

The program is free to students, and applications are being sent to parents via the district’s Skyward program, Howell said.

At Clovis High School, academic programs aimed at credit recovery will be offered from May 31 to June 30, according to Cristy Hill, the high school’s lead counselor.

Driver’s education classes will be offered, as well, to students who are at least 15 years old or will be 15 before or during the five-week period, Hill said.

Driver’s education classes will require a $50 fee, Hill said. Other academic classes are free.

Principal Jay Brady said other student activities during the summer include camps and workouts for sports that include football, volleyball, basketball and soccer, and summer conventions of student clubs like Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and the Health Occupations Student Association (HOSA).

There is a summer band camp scheduled for students in the Clovis Freshman Academy who will advance to the Clovis High School Band, as well.

“Intensive” CHS marching band practices begin in late July and continue until football season begins, Brady said.

Dual credit classes in which junior and senior students can earn college credit along with high school credit, in cooperation with Clovis Community College, are also available during the summer, Brady said.