Summer School Targets Reading and Math Skills

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The Superintendent's Reading and Mathematics Academies for six weeks this summer will help students in challenged schools shore up the basics.

Economic stimulus money is being used to fund the six-week summer session that will be held in five elementary, one middle and five high schools.

Students eligible for the summer program must attend one of the city's 31 challenged schools. School officials say funding is in place to support helping 3,000 students.

"We are going to help them master the basics," said Kathy LeRoy, Chief of Academic Services.

Jami Pena is an elementary teacher who is looking forward to the challenges of the summer session.

Pena says the program will allow teachers to spend extra time with students who are struggling with the basics.

"If we need to pull them out to have more one-on-one instruction, we can do that," said Pena, who will teach classes at Rutledge Pearson Elementary.

Transportation is provided for students who live more than two miles from their summer school site.

Parents do need to enroll their children so schools can make the necessary plans for transportation and supplies.

The summer school program gets underway on June 22. More information on the Superintendent's Academies is available on www.duvalschools.org. Click on the "Summer Break '09" icon.

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