HFM BOCES Regional Summer School - May, 2010

closeup photo of administrator taking notes

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HFM BOCES news

HFM BOCES Regional Summer School is in session

Broadalbin-Perth hosts nine participating districts

ice cream cone image What does making ice cream have to do with science?

Consider a moment and realize that the process of making ice cream can lead to the discussion of phase changes, endothermic reactions, pasteurization processes, the biology of milk and the chemical nature of salt. Not only that, but making a batch of homemade ice cream is the perfect way to begin summer school on a hot July day.

HFM BOCES Regional Summer School kicked off its second year of the shared program with more than 600 students enrolled for classes at Broadalbin-Perth High School. Nine component school districts are participating in the six-week session. Several students from non-component districts paid tuition individually and registered for classes through participating districts.

Summer School Principal Christine Pietro said that the opening days went smoothly. Lessons learned in last year’s inaugural session have led to slight changes in the daily schedule to create a “better flow” to the day.

“We added 10-minute breaks between classes, and made food and beverages available to purchase during the day,” Mrs. Pietro said. In addition, last year’s study hall was recast as a two-part, structured physical/enrichment activity for more constructive use of time when students are not in a classroom.

HFM BOCES Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lorraine Hohenforst oversees the regional summer school, and was pleased to see the growth in enrollment.

“Registration increased by more than 100 students over last year,” Dr. Hohenforst said. “Hiring was expanded just days before the start of summer school to staff three additional sections needed due to the rise in enrollment.”

summer school class photo Concentrated review of courses need to graduate

The HFM BOCES program, hosted by Broadalbin-Perth High School, is designed to help students who require classes to graduate on time. Students from grades 9-12 could register for classes in English, social studies, math, science and health. Classes meet Monday-Thursday in two-hour daily sessions. Regents exams are scheduled for August 17-19.

The six-week session requires a committed effort for teachers and staff as well as for the students. This year, two teachers pursuing administrative certification are serving as administrative interns throughout the session.

For students, the six weeks of daily two-hour classes will provide a concentrated review of subjects they need to graduate. Teachers were asked to pre-test their students and focus on areas where help is most needed.

“Summer school is remedial in nature. We cannot cover as much material in six weeks as a typical class would during the regular school year,” Mrs. Pietro said. “We assume a basic level of understanding and knowledge from the students along with the expectation that they will work hard.”

The responsibility for success falls squarely on the students’ shoulders. Any absences or tardiness counts against a student, with no excuses accepted. After more than three absences or six occasions of tardiness and the student is removed from the course.

Sitting in a classroom in July is not usually the first choice for most teens. How do students that struggled with a subject during the regular school year find success in summer school?

“Having this opportunity is really a privilege for students,” Mrs. Pietro said. “They can earn a full credit in six weeks for a course that usually takes 40 weeks in a typical school schedule.”

Teachers' enthusiasm key component of success

Classroom photo The key to summer success may lie in the people selected to teach summer school courses. High school science teacher Jennifer Tatlock launched her Earth Science class with a project – making homemade ice cream – that led to the discussion about endothermic reactions and other important information likely to be found on the Regents exam in August.

“I like to keep the energy up, keep the students active,” Ms. Tatlock said. “We break up the period with a variety of different activities and projects, but all connected to the central theme of our lesson.”

Amsterdam’s Lisa Liverio is teaching English 10 and exploring aspects of society in the 60s with her class. Students are grouped together to investigate, and write about, different topics related to that decade.

Another Amsterdam teacher, Stu Palczak, has divided his Global Studies students in small groups to research significant events in history, and then create short PowerPoint slideshows and handouts to present to the rest of the class. The resulting collection of handouts and notes from all the presentations become each student’s study resource for their final exam.

Project-based learning provides real world challenges

A common thread woven through each classroom is an emphasis on project-based learning. That approach involves students by studying and interacting with the real world around them.

Starting with a problem or challenge without a predetermined solution, projects allow students to design their own process to get to the solution, and create a need to learn essential content and skills to use in the process. Generally, projects lead students to create something that demonstrates what they have learned - a new product, an idea, or an interpretation.

The process requires and develops critical thinking skills, problem solving ability, collaboration and different forms of communication. Students need to read a variety of material, write or express themselves, and make effective presentations. They must listen to each other and be able to make their own ideas understood when speaking. More than just remembering information, project based learning requires students to use these higher-order thinking skills to work as a team and contribute to a group effort.

Students benefit from the chance to think and work independently and take responsibility when they are asked to make choices. The opportunity to make choices, and to share what they have learned, also helps students become more engaged in the class.

While students in summer school have to be there to make up credits, what drives a teacher to spend six weeks of summer in the classroom

“Meeting kids from other districts and learning what works for them is one reason I like to teach summer school,” Ms. Liverio said. “The extended class time also helps us get to know the students better.”

Some teachers use the summer session to fine tune projects and lessons they want to implement during the school year. Several teachers attended a three-day, project based learning seminar conducted by BOCES prior to summer school, and were excited to test drive the new tools and information gleaned from that workshop.

“I could never just sit around all summer,” Ms. Tatlock said. “This keeps my brain sharp.”

Easily seen in each classroom are the enthused, engaging qualities that administrators looked for when staffing summer school teaching positions. In spite of the heat, the long days, the intensity of the lessons, teachers and students were enjoying themselves.

FAQ

Download the FAQ flyer here

Why is HFM BOCES offering a regional summer school?
Where is the Regional Summer School being held?
What are the dates and times for summer school?
What classes are offered at HFM BOCES Regional Summer School?
How do students register?
Which school districts are taking part?
Are there eligibility requirements for summer school?
Who can participate?
What if my child is not a resident in a participating district?
What about younger students?
Is Drivers’ Education being offered?
UPDATED - What is the attendance policy for Regional Summer School?
How are Regional Summer School students graded?
Is there a Code of Conduct for Regional Summer School?
Is transportation provided?
Is lunch provided for students?
Who will pay for a student to attend regional summer school?
Regents/RCT Exam Schedule
Walk-in Regents/RCT Registrations

Why is HFM BOCES offering a regional summer school?

In an effort to consolidate services and provide more cost-effective
programs, HFM BOCES is again offering a regional summer school to area high school students.