WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2008

School’s in for many students during the summer, too, at the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.

While school ends for most students and staff this week, hundreds will be spending time in KPR classrooms in July. Summer school will run from July 2-29 at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School in Peterborough, Clarington Central SS in Bowmanville, and Cobourg District Collegiate Institute East in Cobourg. The program will include literacy and numeracy for students now in Grades 7 and 8, while full secondary courses and upgrade courses will be offered for Grades 9-12 students.

Summer Literacy Camps for primary students needing a little extra boost with reading, and School’s Cool classes to support little ones who will be starting school in September for the first time, also are planned. Meanwhile, hundreds of staff members will be attending summer institutes offered by the Board, or professional development programs offered by post-secondary institutions.

In addition, more than $10 million in construction, renovation and major maintenance work will be taking place at schools across the Board. This includes roof and window replacements, electrical and heating upgrades, secondary science room improvements, and other work, as well as school additions at Ridpath Junior Public School in Lakefield and Waverley PS in Bowmanville.

"Summer is the busy time for Facilities Services staff members, as major improvements can best be made when the school buildings are empty," notes Associate Director of Education Sherry Summersides. "Our custodians will also be taking advantage of this time to do major summer cleaning projects and get the buildings in top shape for everyone’s return in September."

Schools offering half-day Summer Literacy Camps, primarily for pupils finishing Grade 1, will include Newcastle, Orono, Lydia Trull, Dr. Ross Tilley and Harold Longworth Public Schools in the Municipality of Clarington; and Buckhorn, Keith Wightman, Roger Neilson, Queen Mary, Otonabee Valley and R.F. Downey Public Schools in Peterborough City and County. The programs will run for two weeks in July. Teachers have worked with parents and guardians to identify the children who will be attending the literacy camps.

Meanwhile, the Northumberland Early Years Centre is working with KPR to offer the School’s Cool program, weekday mornings from July 7-August 14, at Beatrice Strong, Roseneath, Kent, Colborne and Burnham Public Schools. Parents interested in more information about School’s Cool may contact the Early Years Centre at 905-377-1271 or 866-301-6392.

And, of course, summer school will attract hundreds of students from Grades 7-12. Summer school classes will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays from July 2-29. As students are continuing to register for summer school, class assignments will take place this weekend and students will be contacted by telephone on Monday, June 30 regarding their placement.

Report cards from the first semester of summer school will be available for pick-up at the summer school office at all three sites, as of 10 a.m. on July 17. Final report cards will be available for pick-up on July 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at all three summer school sites, and at the Thomas A. Stewart SS site only on July 31, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. All remaining report cards will be sent to students’ home schools in August. Alternatively, students who provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope to their summer school office will be able to have their report cards mailed to their home, or to their college or university.

Limited busing to summer school will be available for students from outlying areas. Route details are available at www.stsco.ca

At the same time, a variety of summer workshops will be offered by KPR to its staff. The majority of workshops will be held August 18-20, focusing on literacy, numeracy and technology in teaching.

During the last week of July and the first week of August, Board employees will observe a common vacation period. A skeleton staff performing essential functions will be available for emergencies only. Members of the public who would like information or assistance are encouraged to contact the Education Centre before July 25 or after August 11.

Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario, which is responsible for busing KPR students, will remain open all summer. In addition, STSCO has once again organized a First Rider program for young students. The fun program gives new, young bus riders and their parents the opportunity to ride in a school bus and learn about bus safety. First Rider sessions will take place at:

- Clarington Central SS, Bowmanville, on August 15 from 3-6 p.m. and August 16 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

- Northumberland Mall, Cobourg, and Lansdowne Place, Peterborough, on August 22 from 3-6 p.m. and August 23 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

The websites at www.kprschools.ca and www.stsco.ca will continue to be updated with news during the summer as well.

Elementary students’ last day of school will be this Thursday, June 26. Secondary school students finished their exams this week. Teachers will participate in a Professional Activity Day this Friday.

Those wishing to obtain transcripts from secondary schools are encouraged to contact the school offices directly by this Friday, while the offices are still open. School offices will be closed for the summer and re-open on Monday, August 25. The first day of the new school year will be Tuesday, September 2.

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Judy Malfara, Communications Officer - School Liaison, at 705-742-9773 or toll-free at 877-741-4577, ext. 2001