End of school signals coming beginning of summer session

As the school year winds down this week in the Jackson School District, teachers and students are already preparing for the upcoming summer school session.

During their meeting Tuesday night, the Jackson School Board approved this year's summer school program, which already has attracted 300 more students than last year, although enrollment is still taking place.

In total, more than 1,200 students in kindergarten through 12th grade have signed up for the program, which will run from June 5-26.

The addition of a new reading program may be partially responsible for the upsurge in enrollment, said assistant superintendent Dr. Rita Fisher.

"But teachers have been encouraging students to attend as well," she added. "Our teachers are very excited about doing it this year."

The theme for this year's summer school is "All About Missouri." The activity-based program will incorporate exploration of famous Missourians, places, historical time periods and facts. The program instruction is designed to improve scores on the annual Missouri Assessment Program testing.

Other items acted on at the school board meeting were:

Acceptance of the Rotary foreign exchange student for the 2003-04 school year.

Approval of bus routes for summer extended year 2003.