Jefferson Middle School JUMP summer students tried a science experiment to see how much a baby diaper can absorb! The kids came up with their hypothesis, took apart diapers to see how it they be so absorption and tried different ways to test the absorption of water. Photo courtesy Jamestown Public Schools Facebook page

The Jamestown Public Schools’ summer learning programs got a facelift thanks to federal COVID-19 relief funds.

The program built on the existing LEAP program, which has been offered in the district’s five elementary schools since 2019. Stimulus money and local community contributions allowed the program to expand into the middle schools with the JUMP program and the BRIDGE program for eighth-graders transitioning to Jamestown High School.

“We had a great bunch of students,” said Dr. Kevin Whitaker, Jamestown Public Schools superintendent. “We always want to have more kids, but we had lots of interest. We’ve done a bunch of really cool stuff with project-based learning at this summer school. I want to say this week might be the last week at the high school. Lots of kids in getting their extra credits and working toward graduation. So it’s been pretty successful this summer.”

There was no cost to parents for their children to participate. Programs included breakfast and lunch, reading intervention, virtual field trips and engaging activities such as: the exploration of nature, art and craft projects, and games for elementary school students; breakfast, lunch, reading and math intervention as well as project-based learning for middle school and students entering ninth grade at JHS.

The JHS Bridge program also included sessions to tour JHS and explore extracurricular activities and to work with teachers on study habits and skills that are necessary as they transition to the rigor of high school.

Love LEAP reading specialist, Alicia Brown, helped a student better understand some of the words in the book she was reading - the student used tape as she read to highlight those words she wasn’t sure of. Photo courtesy Jamestown Public Schools Facebook page

Expanded programs are likely to be offered through a mix of community funding and stimulus funding in 2022 as well.

“We always want to have more kids,” Whitaker said. “We’ll do it again next year and hopefully get even more, but it’s been a really solid summer work session.”

Jamestown Rotary Club member, Maria Kindberg, read to Love LEAP students today about hippos. The Rotary Club has been reading to Love Elementary School students on Tuesday and Thursday during the summer.

Pictured is a Jamestown High School orientation in late July with school tours and then, a scavenger hunt where students had to find offices and places like the gym and cafeteria through clues.