STUDENTS GET PAID FOR SUMMER SCHOOL

Charlie Farrow, left, explained what he does on the job at Buchheit's while students toured the store with Shannon Tarrillion.

Students from Perryville Elementary School toured Rudy Buchheit's General Store to learn what it takes to work at the store.

Students from Perryville Elementary School traveled by bus to area businesses during Camp Enterprise.

PERRYVILLE -- When Connie Toney recruited students for Camp Enterprise at Perryville Elementary School, she didn't have a difficult job -- most were eager to attend.

Besides, it's not often that students get paid to be at school. At Camp Enterprise 1996, students can earn up to $5 a day in camp dollars for good behavior, teamwork, attendance, performance and positive attitudes -- all of which are good business attitudes.

Promoting good attitudes and exploring careers are goals of Camp Enterprise. The three-week enrichment program teaches students about careers in business and related jobs. The camp runs in two sessions a day, with options to attend all day.

"It's all the things that Mom and Dad do every day," Toney said of the camp activities.

But summer learning can be difficult. "Work can be hard," said Matt Brewer, a fourth-grade student. "You might have to get up at 5 a.m. to go to work every day."

But other students like Zach Barron and Kristen Jannin, also fourth-grade students, like the program. "It's not like going to school because it's a lot funner," Jannin said.

Barron has been attending summer school for three years. Summer classes mean more field trips and nicer teachers, he said.

Summer school classes were offered this year at most area schools. Programs began in late May at Scott City, Chaffee and Nell Holcomb. Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Perryville and Benton students began classes this month.

As summer school director for the Perryville schools, Toney had to find a way to incorporate learning with fun activities that would keep students' interest. The idea for Camp Enterprise came from a Chamber of Commerce committee. Toney knew businesses and industries in Perryville wanted a way to link their jobs to education.

"Their goal was for students to learn more about free enterprise and to become better employees," she said, adding that she worked with teachers to plan the program.

So the teachers developed specific curriculum to fit the goals of Camp Enterprise and the chamber committee. This year the curriculum includes field trips, guest speakers and a camp project; area businesses support the classes with advice.

Each class chooses a product -- from bug boxes to garden ornaments -- to sell at Camp Enterprise Town. On the last day of the program, they sell them to other students in exchange for camp dollars. Students also have to buy advertising in a newsletter or over the intercom system.

The camp teaches children about the daily aspects of a job -- everything from employment requirements to management practices. The classes are for all students, not just those with special needs, Toney said.

Most summer school programs are not just for children who have fallen behind with their work. Now the programs teach self-esteem and hands-on learning, not remedial lessons, said Joe Crain, principal at Orchard Elementary School in Jackson.

"The kids are really excited about learning," Crain said. "It makes them feel good about themselves and learning in the summer. It builds their self-esteem so that can carry over into the year."

About 500 Jackson students took advantage of the district's first summer school program. The four-week program teaches children about animals with week-long lessons on birds, fish, insects and mammals. Each teacher incorporates lessons on math, language, reading and science into the subject. Some classes are taking field trips to the Missouri Conservation Department at Cape County Park or to veterinary clinics in Jackson.

Even though it is a new program for Jackson schools, summer school has already proven to be a benefit to the district. Almost two-thirds of the elementary students have perfect attendance, Crain said.

High school students were also offered summer programs in both required and elective courses. Some classes, like driver's education and physical education, fill up quickly during the school year, so not all students can take the courses, Crain said. Other classes, like math, English or science, were offered so that students could catch up without being left behind in the fall.

Each school district that offers a summer school program receives double funding per child compared to the regular school year funding. With the added funding, most summer school programs are self-supporting. In most schools, parents are responsible for transportation, and students bring their own lunches for day-long classes.

"We'll make a profit," Crain said. "And we'll use that money to fund other programs that we couldn't fund otherwise."