WARREN SCHOOLS District's summer program wraps up

Test scores at the end of the city schools program are better than before it starts.
By JAYME RAMSON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
WARREN -- The city school district's SummerFun Programs ended on a sour note today after a successful five-week run.
Wednesday and today's sessions were canceled because of flooding in the bus garage.
Outreach manager April Caraway said officials realized Wednesday morning the buses would not be able to get through the garage to go pick up the kids.
The program incorporates academic and recreational activities for fourth- and fifth-graders. Twelve certified Warren City Schools' teachers help make it possible. In addition, Community Solutions Association educates the students on alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention.
Program coordinators hope participating pupils develop life skills during the activities and learn how to remain drug free.
This last week of the SummerFun program was relaxed compared with previous weeks, which were filled with activities, such as a fishing trip to Packard Park.
The pupils took proficiency tests Tuesday. The big events this week were canceled.
Community Solutions wrapped up its television-theme program this week.
"They've done a prevention program with the kids every Monday and Tuesday with a 'Survivor' theme, teaching the kids cooperation skills and problem solving," Caraway said.
Keeping kids on top
The SummerFun program stems from a traditional need for teachers to re-teach old material at the beginning of every school year.
"We want to keep the kids involved in academics so that they don't get behind over the summer," Caraway said. "A lot of our time in the fall, at the beginning of the school year seems to be doing catch-up because the kids forget what they learned last year.
"The kids who attend the summer program, we're hoping we'll be a little ahead of the game," she said.
Caraway feels the program has succeeded over its eight years, with pupils taking tests before and after the program. The kids have done better on the post-program tests.
Despite funding cutbacks, she hopes the SummerFun program will become a staple for future fourth- and fifth-graders.
Hurting from lost aid
The program normally receives grants from such sources as Gear-Up, Community Development Block Grant funds and the 21st Century Community Learning Center. The program's general fund is financed through state and local taxes.
This year's general fund is empty, and the three-year 21st Century Community Learning Center grant expired last year and was not renewed, Caraway said.
Caraway said this year the program had its smallest group ever because of funding cuts. Also, in previous years, the pupils traveled to sites throughout the city for activities but now are limited to one site.
"The ones that come seem to really enjoy it, and the parents are happy," Caraway said.
"I actually had a waiting list and had to turn kids away this year because we had capped out," she said. "I wanted to make sure we kept the student-teacher ration down."