ST. PAUL - A summer school program could soon be available to students in the St. Paul area - and beyond - as St. Paul Education moves forward with the next steps required to offer students summer programming.
During the May 10 St. Paul Education board of trustees meeting, it was noted that the school division had received provincial approval to move ahead with creating a summer school. The program will be part of the St. Paul Alternate Education Centre (SPAEC).
According to superintendent Peter Barron, work is now being done to develop courses, and the school division is looking at a modest start to the program, hoping to begin offering opportunities this summer
It was SPEAC principal Breana Malcolmson who pitched the idea of a summer school.
"Kudos to SPEAC," said assistant superintendent Keith Gamblin, during the board meeting, noting the summer school is another way to offer flexible programming to students.
"It's great news to hear," added board chair Sylvie Smyl.
Advertising for the summer school and programs being offered should begin taking place before the end of May, heard the board.
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Speaking with Lakeland This Week, Malcolmson said the summer school is simply another way to offer alternative opportunities to students, which is what SPAEC is all about.
“We want to continue to meet kids’ needs," she said. The summer school can be a benefit to all types of high school students - for some it may be a way to catch up and improve their marks, and for others it may be a way to take additional classes and result in a lighter workload as they move through the regular school year.
The summer school encourages kids to "use their summer time wisely," she adds.
The plan, at the moment, is to move forward with the program this summer, offering core subjects for Grade 10 and 11 students. Students can also tackle some CTS credits, such as phys ed/Career and Life Management (CALM).
While the details are still being worked out, the summer school would likely run Monday to Thursday from July 4 to July 27. Mondays and Tuesdays would be set aside for phone or virtual consults with teachers, while Wednesdays and Thursdays would allow for students to have face-to-face support from teachers.
Summer courses focus on "key outcomes" in a condensed form, explained Malcolmson. Students will do much of the work on their own, with support offered through the summer school at the SPAEC campus, which is located within St. Paul Regional High School.
When asked if there would be a cost to attend the summer school, Malcolmson noted that was among the details that still needed to be ironed out.
If students and parents have questions about the planned summer school, they can reach out to SPAEC at 780-645-5015.
