Hollister
– San Benito High School’s decision to cut summer school
offerings seems to have had little effect on the program’s initial
enrollment.
Hollister – San Benito High School’s decision to cut summer school offerings seems to have had little effect on the program’s initial enrollment.
“We’ve had a pretty good size group of students sign up,” Director of Educational Services Cindy Cordova said.
Last year more than half of SBHS’ student body signed up for summer school, but only about 800 students managed to stay through the entire six-week session. The state will only fund “enrichment education” for 5 percent of any school’s student body or, in this case, 150 students. Students’ course work over the summer is considered enrichment if they are in good academic standing and are taking courses to free up their schedules during the school year or just looking for something to do.
Students who have yet to pass the California High School Exit Exam, score at “Basic” or below on their standardized tests, or who have failed a class and need to repeat it in order to graduate are considered “remediation” students, and their summer education is fully funded by the state.
Because SBHS provided just more than $224,000 in summer school programming last year, only $69,000 of which was paid for by the state, the Board of Trustees voted to cap enrichment enrollment at 250 this year, subsidizing the cost of education for 100 students. According to Cordova, however, more than 1,700 students are enrolled in summer session this year, either because they qualify as remedial students or won a lottery allowing them to take a class, about on par with years past.
“I haven’t heard any (complaints from parents) lately,” she said. “I think they understand that a funding issue with the state and not San Benito High School is the reason we aren’t able to provide the robust program we have in the past.”
For those students unable to snatch up a place in summer school, or who don’t exactly relish the thought of six weeks in class that could be spent elsewhere, alternatives are available within the community.
Though the YMCA’s programs for younger children are especially popular, activities for older children are available as well. A golf day camp is available during the last week of June for students 10-15 years old. For $250, with the possibility of financial aid, students learn the ins and outs of the game with a PGA professional. Students up to 17 years old can be a part of the Y’s British Soccer Camp for around $100, where they can learn how to pass and shoot like a pro with a coach from across the pond.
The YMCA has a special “Travel Camp” designed specifically for students in grades eight through 12. Students will spend a week camping, swimming, hiking and fishing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The cost is $400, but again, financial aid is available.
“It’s good for kids to get out there and have some fun during their time off,” YMCA Executive Director Lou Bettencourt said. “They need to have that stimulation at least part of the time.”
If a teen’s focus is drawn less to the great outdoors than to the Great Mall, he or she may be well served to take a summer job to help pay for a car or college down the road, or even just some new CDs or a summer trip.
“Right now they really need kids at Bonfante Gardens, and at the (Gilroy) outlets, but then transportation is an issue,” said Maria Fehl, Director of County Workforce Development. “Other than that, there’s always fast food.”
Students often work as camp counselors, swim teachers, lifeguards, waiters, or doing light clerical work at public or nonprofit offices, such as filing or answering phones. Fehl stressed how important it is for teens in need of summer work to make a good impression when applying for potential jobs.
“You only get one chance to make a first impression,” she said. “And if you come in with your pants falling off, who’s going to want to give you a job when there’s three other kids waiting for the same position?”
Fehl’s agency offers resume tips and workshops on how to land the right job, free of charge, to both students and adults in the community, which she encourages teens to take advantage of.
For more information call the YMCA at 637-8600 or County Workforce Development at 637-9293
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637- 5566, ext. 336 or ds****@fr***********.com
